God in control when I’m not

Acts 27:27-44

²⁷ On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. ²⁸ They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. ²⁹ Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. ³⁰ In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. ³¹ Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

³³ Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. ³⁷ Altogether there were 276 of us on board. ³⁸ When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

³⁹ When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. ⁴⁰ Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. ⁴¹ But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

⁴² The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³ But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴ The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Paul and his companions are on their way to Rome, where Paul is to stand trial.  There is an incredible sense of impending disaster in this vivid account of a shipwreck recorded by Luke, when even the sailors lose courage and try to abandon the ship and its passengers to their fate. Quick thinking by Paul averts disaster and they make it through the night.

Paul is full of faith and trust in God in a situation that even the sea-toughened sailors see as hopeless. This leads him to encourage them to eat, looking ahead to their need for strength. Paul thanks God for the food before everyone, giving powerful witness to God’s provision. Even in probably the most desperate situation Paul had ever faced, he looks to thank and honour God. And he again prophesies that they will survive.

Looking for something to thank God for even when we are in a seemingly hopeless crisis turns our hearts back to him, and off ourselves. It reminds of his love for us, love that gave everything including his Son, a love that has no conditions. To me this doesn’t mean situations won’t be difficult or painful, or cost us emotionally, mentally, monetarily. These situations may not seem to be in the plan we thought God had for our lives. God has it in control, and we will know this and remember this, when we give thanks.

Father God, in my thankfulness I cling to you. Make my thankfulness be a witness to your love, that will draw my family, friends and colleagues to you.  Amen.

Written by Claire Moore