Boating is a great recreational pursuit for many people. Some like fast boats. Some like sailboats. Some like fishing boats. Some like huge seagoing ships. And they will all argue why their boat is better than the others.
But one thing they all agree on is a dislike for foul weather.
There are many new technical advances that afford ships more safety in stormy conditions. Yet even seasoned old salts grimace at the prospect of storms, knowing they can generate huge seas that threaten to capsize their vessels.
The Apostle Paul was on a ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea en route to Rome. It was the wrong time of the year to be out in those waters and Paul knew it. He urged the captain to hold port until it was safe. But the captain and his crew decided to push on.
It was a bad decision.
A vicious seasonal storm called Euroclydon blew so fiercely that ship literally started to come apart. Even after throwing everything overboard to lighten the load, the ship was still in peril. They gave up all hope of being saved.
But in the middle of the night an angel appeared to Paul and told him not to be afraid. He assured Paul that although the ship was doomed, not one life would be lost. Paul told this to the 276 people onboard the ship, and they were all encouraged.
As soundings determined they were getting close to land, they dropped four anchors to slow the ship down. When land was sighted they let the anchors go.
Another bad decision.
Now the ship sped uncontrollably for shore, only to run aground on the rocks of a reef. Waves begin to break the stern apart. The captain commanded everyone to abandon ship. Those who knew how to swim started paddling, while others held onto boards and other parts of the ship. But where told…
They all escaped safely to land. (Acts 27:44)
When you’re jumping from a ship that’s sinking, and you don’t know how to swim, the only hope you have is that there is something, or someone to hold onto. Hope will cause you to keep grabbing. Hope will cause you to hold on whatever there is, even if it’s just a splinter.
But we have so much more.
…we are those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, is both sure and steadfast, and which enters the behind the veil into the presence of God. (Hebrews 6:18,19)
No matter how bad things have gotten, or how dark, or how long it’s been going on, there’s still hope. We can lay hold of God Himself. And what’s even more encouraging is that God lays hold of us in a way that secures our very lives at the deepest level…and He’ll never let go!
Add a Comment