Stormy Weather at Sea

“Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.  But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.  And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along…When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” –Acts 29:13-15, 20 (ESV.  Read Acts 29:13-38).

We can imagine the fear from the storm, the storm-tossed ship, the threatened cargo, and the utter fear and seasickness that must have overcome the crowded passengers.  Luke does not fill in details, but much can be extracted from what he does write.  The crew worked hard to secure the ship’s lifeboat.  At best, it would not have held the large number of passengers aboard.  Is this not reminiscent of a centuries-later luxury ship called the Titanic that was deemed “unsinkable” by its manufacturers?  On the second day the workers began to throw the cargo overboard to lighten the load.  The third day they further lightened the ship by throwing overboard the ship’s tackle.  And then—darkness; no stars to give them direction as a compass by night, no sun by day.  It truly was a terrible storm.  Their strength was waning, for we learn in Acts 29:21 that they had been without food for days—whether too seasick to consume food or too tempest-tossed to get to the food, they had not eaten.  By then, they were willing to listen to prisoner Paul when he spoke:  “take heart…there will be no loss of life among you” (v. 22).  An angel of God had appeared to Paul and reassured him of the truths he conveyed to the people aboard the tempest-tossed ship. 

After fourteen days of surviving the storm at sea, they neared shore.  Some sailors took the lifeboat and sought to escape but Paul told them that only those who remained aboard would be saved so thy cut the ropes and let the boat drift.  Paul urged the people to eat.  He broke bread, blessed it and passed it to the weary, tempest-tossed crew and prisoners—276 in number—and they ate.  Even though a different setting and circumstances, this feeding at sea is reminiscent of Christ feeding the thousands.  Paul probably had the bread from the ship’s provisions.  But his commanding presence and the hope he held out to those on the ship that none would perish no doubt encouraged them to take sustenance. 

Storms in our lives can take many forms.  Like Paul’s shipmates in the terrible storm at sea, we can feel we are doomed.  But through the storm, the quiet assurance comes from God that He is in charge and all will be safe.  The difference lies in whether we can trust God completely or rely on our own devices.  Some of the sailors devised their own way of escape by lifeboat.  When our own devices fail, we can only turn to God.  Why not depend on Him, even from the time we launch out, to guide our ship of life and bring us safely home?  This will not mean the sailing is smooth or storms do not buffet.  But God the Creator is Lord of all storms we face.  He invites us to turn to Him for help and direction.  Dangerous shoals have a path through them.  And even in shipwreck, He can provide a means of rescue or safety under His prow of power.  To God be the glory.