Acts 27:1-26
Paul’s voyage to Rome was interrupted by a furious storm. It is recorded that “there arose … a tempestuous wind.” The winds seemed to be fighting against Paul. We must not always decide, however, that opposition, difficulty, or hindrance shows divine displeasure. This ship was carrying God’s servant to his destination, and yet this terrible storm arose on the sea. God’s people are passing though this world to heaven, and yet they meet obstacles and hardships in the very path of duty. They must not conclude that these things indicate God’s displeasure. There are reasons known to God why trials are better for us sometimes than favouring circumstances. If this ship had had smooth sailing right through we should never have had this wonderful story of Paul’s sublime faith and God’s wonderful deliverance. This is one of the most remarkable chapters in the annals of Paul’s career.
“The next day they lightened the ship.” They hoped that by casting out some of the freight they might save the ship and the lives of those on board. Next day, as the storm grew worse, they threw out even the furniture. Valuable and important as these things were, they must be sacrificed that something more important might be saved. It often becomes necessary in life’s voyage to lighten the ship in order to save it. That is one of the blessings of tempests and storms in our lives; they compel us to cast out the things of earth and our sins in order to save our souls. There are some things we never can take to heaven. If we ever get there we must lighten the ship or it will sink with us in the dark waves of death. There are too many people, however, who are not willing to make sacrifices of earthly things, even to gain spiritual blessings. There are stories of men who, on sinking ships, have sought to carry off their gold, but have lost their lives in the effort. We ought to be willing to sacrifice anything in order to gain the favour of God. It is more to be desired than anything else.
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