as day was about to dawn, paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. therefore i urge you to take some food. for it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” and when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. [we were in all 276 persons in the ship.) and when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. [acts 27:33-38]
does being fully convinced of the gospel, God’s character, etc., lead you to action?
just a few verses ago in verse 25, paul says this: “so take heart, men, for i have faith in God that it will be exactly as i have been told.”
since he has said those words, he has instructed the soldiers to cut loose the life boat so no one leaves on it, encouraged the people to eat for the first time in 14 days, instructed them to run aground on an island, and, most interestingly, throw the rest of the wheat overboard to lighten the ship. this wheat was likely what was left of the provisions left on the boat.
these 4 actions may make sense if they were on a boat on a calm day heading towards land surrounded by shallow water and would reach land soon.
one problem:
they haven’t seen land yet.
they may have thought that some land was nearby, but they had yet to see it.
paul instructs and the people on the ship listen despite little to no evidence that any of what paul says is true.
in the storms of life, are you willing to act in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit? or do you drop anchors and try to survive on your own?
i pray today that we might be fully convinced of God’s sovereignty and care for us that we act even when it looks like it makes no sense. that we encourage, give, and love through the power of the Holy Spirit even in the midst of the storm.
make it so, Lord.
john sandman