“Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood beside meand said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
Acts 27:23-24 (NIV)
Paul’s guardian angel appeared to him, to assure him that God will save the lives of all 276 men on the ship, despite the violent cyclone storm that was battering the Adriatic Sea. He told everyone on the ship what the Lord said, through his angel. Their original destination was Rome, in order to transfer the prisoners on board to stand trial before Caesar.
The storm lasted for two days and no one had eaten, due to anxiety and seasickness. Paul took bread, prayed over it, blessed it, and passed it out to everyone on board. After they ate, they were encouraged to keep hope, and they survived.
(Acts 28:35)
Their mangled ship finally got wedged onto a sandbar on the island of Malta. Everything that followed proved that God was exercising His providence over all who were on that ship.
The natives of Malta ran to help the shipwrecked men, offering them food and shelter. It was no coincidence that the ship landed on the side of the island, owned by a wealthy man named Publius. The father of Publius was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and prayed, laying hands on him and he was instantly healed. Publius and his family became Christians, while many other sick people on the island were prayed for by Paul and cured.
Sometimes God’s divine purpose is accomplished through the most distressing and traumatic situations.
At first, the guards on ship thought they would have to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but they didn’t. All the lives on board could have drowned at sea, but they lived, because the angel of the Lord promised it. They might have landed anywhere else, but God wanted them on that side of Malta, where Publius lived, who God used to provide a way for all 276 men to continue their voyage.
God often reveals His faithfulness to us in the cyclones and shipwrecks of our lives. He offers us His peace in the middle of the storm. The Lord knows the best way to mature our faith, take us to new places, to meet new people, and share His bread of life with. The same God who spoke to Paul and spared every life in the storm, is the same God who is at our side today and forever.
Lord, help us to respond with trust in your divine providence, through the storms and shipwrecks of our lives, knowing you will bring us through, while we help others and are drawn closer to you. Amen
