Acts 27 rivals any Hollywood movie for action and adventure. Paul is being kept prisoner, set to appear before Caesar, put on a ship bound for Rome. Along the way, the going gets tough. In verses 10-12Paul, still a prisoner, says, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also. BUT, the centurion (INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO WHAT PAUL SAID) followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, THE MAJORITY decided that [they] should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there."I can imagine how incredibly humble the centurion would had to have been to listen to Paul, but because he didn't they ended up sailing into a storm, tossing all of their cargo, all of the ship's tackle, even their food overboard. They cut away their lifeboat, cut away the anchors and even tied the ships ropes under and around the ship itself to try and hold it together, before finally running aground. Sometimes, running with the majority is not the way to go!
In the midst of all that, God spoke to Paul. He said, "Do not be afraid, Paul...God has graciously given you the lives of ALL who sail with you." As long as God has a place and purpose for one's life on earth and that person is seeking God and following the POWERFUL guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will protect him or her from death. It doesn't mean that you still won't go through tough times, just that He will be with you through them. All of God's faithful have the right to pray, "Lord, I am yours. I serve you. Be my protector." (Psalm 16:1-2)
God kept his promise to Paul then, saving each one of the 276 people on board the ship. And, He'll do the same for you today!
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