Acts 27: 13-26
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. 17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and 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.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
This is a special week for the Smiths. We get our kids home. We get to see our daughter, Katherine, married this week. We gain a young man named Luis into our family. And more family is coming to pray and rejoice with us. I think if you turned out the lights, mama might glow in the dark.
It’s also a special time for a certain young lady named Amy who just got engaged to a young man some of us know as Ryan. What a precious thought that this one person wants to share his life with you. The Lord blesses us with these times. He gives joy to our hearts during such times.
But we also know, that life in this fallen world is not just happy, happy, joy, joy. Like Jesus disciples on that sea of Galilee, storms can suddenly come upon us. And we know that those storms are not just the kind that appear in the sky. There are also those tough times in life that bear down on us and threaten to steal the confidence right out of our hearts.
Maybe you are trying to weather one of these storms right now. I know some of you are. This is for you. Maybe you are not, yet you wonder what storms may be coming your way. Meet the apostle Paul right in the midst of one. Things couldn’t look worse. Well here Paul’s spirit filled words to these men who did not know the Lord are even more for us who do.
Keep Up Your Courage
I. The storms will come
II. It will happen just as God told you.
What was this sea voyage all about? It wasn’t a missionary journey of Paul. Well yes and no. No, Paul was a prisoner in the custody of a Roman centurion. He was taking him to Rome to stand trial. Paul would be judged. Yet even in chains, the Lord had told him he would testify about his risen Savior.
Luke was along and tells us what happened. When they left, they made slow progress. The winds were not helping them. Now it was coming to the time of year when the weather made experienced sailors think twice about getting underway in their ship. Many a wreck sits on the bottom. Many a life was lost in this dangerous season.
Paul had warned the centurion not to chance it. But when the winds seemed favorable the man piloting the ship decided to go for it. The time would soon come when he wished he could make that decision all over again.
I love reading this log of their journey. Have any of you spent any time at sea? Luke’s description reminds me of my days on the North Atlantic ocean. Even though my ship was a lot bigger than this one, this reminds me of some of those times. Times when a storm with monstrous waves tossed us about like our 378 foot ship was nothing.
The sea can be a treacherous place when a storm comes. That’s why even on a lake you need to have your life jackets in order. You never know when you need them. Listen to what these men were enduring: Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. Ever see that movie: the Perfect Storm? That was a nor’easter. When the ocean is so rough you get weary from just trying to stand. Some get so sea sick you feel like you are going to turn inside out.
Think of the desperate measures they took. They pulled ropes around the ship to keep it from coming apart. The next day, they threw off the cargo. No pay now. And still the storm raged into the third day when they threw of the ship’s tackle, the anchors, the equipment overboard. By then Luke tells us: We finally gave up all hope of being saved. The storm was too much.
Ever feel like that? Weary, even desperate. I imagine some people have felt that way in Colorado Springs as that fire bear down on their homes. Or what about those medical storms? The test results we are not so sure we want to hear. The pain that is unrelenting. The fall that breaks a hip. The pneumonia that has you coughing and coughing or someone you love. The storms come.
Today many people are facing a financial storm. Houses lost, businesses failed, out of work. A man came to the church door the other day not looking for money but for food. He was hungry. When I took him to get something I saw how hungry he was.
Some Christians also wake up in a country facing a storm of persecution. Just because they worship Christ, people want to hurt them or even kill them or burn their church. Governments may arrest their pastors and put them in jail. The storms come.
Then what about this storm? We just read it in Bible class: they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1Peter 4:5) Some day this world will go up in flames and each of us will stand before the Lord, our judge. Talk about desperate times.
But here is what jumps out at me today. Yes, the storms will come. Even that final one. Yet what Paul said to these men applies even more to us, God’s people. When facing those storms: Keep up your courage.
Of course, you might think. That’s easy for you to say Pastor. You don’t understand what I’m dealing with. That’s right, I don’t. But I know someone who more than understands. The one who took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. He more than understands. He comes to us in this Word where he gives me the right to say to you. Keep up your courage. It will happen just as God told you.
The Lord spelled that out to his apostle. He then told the sailors: now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and 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. The Lord spelled out his promise to Paul and he spelled it out to these men. 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
What does that have to do with me and the storms that come my way? Everything. The Lord did not make this promise to you. But he has made others. Wonderful promises that can give you a fresh dose of courage. You might start with this promising invitation. Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:7) God is your Father and you are his dear child in his tender care. Hold onto that when it seems otherwise. Then what about this one when we are feeling weary. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you. Is 41:13) I will help you. For these men, that meant he would save them when their ship wrecked. For us, it can mean any number of things. God doesn’t tell us how. But it will happen just as God told you. You are his. He has taken hold of your hand and He will help you. So keep up your courage.
And that goes for that day when this short life comes to an end. It goes for that time about which God’s Word says, It is appointed for a man once to die and then to face the judgment. Even then, when you must face that day, Keep up your courage. For it will happen just as God told you.
What has he told you? Your sins are forgiven. What has he told you? In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. That’s what Jesus has told you and it will happen just as he said.
But how can we know? How can we be sure when those storms come? Well first of all, God is bigger than those storms. Think about it. From where did God speak to Job. Out of a storm. God is bigger than those storms that come your way. Or think about what that storm had to do when Jesus spoke. It had to be quiet before him. Our God is bigger than those storms that make us feel weak and small.
Yet this courage is about more than knowing God’s power. More than anything we find courage in knowing God’s love for us. For look what he did for you. God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for you. He gave him to live for you. He gave him to take your guilt and mine. He gave him to pay the price to set us free. Then God raised him to show you, yes it’s true. So if you have any doubts that God cares for you, any doubts that God will help you through the storm, look at his love. Look at his love for you in Christ. Look at his amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I was once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
So keep up your courage. But don’t try to do that alone. God’s plan is for us to gather. And encourage one another. Then yes, the storms will come. They may fill our life with trouble. But together we can face them with this confidence. It will happen just as God told you, just as God promised. Amen.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Amen