Bold Move

Acts 27:27-44

²⁷When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.

²⁸So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.

²⁹And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.

³⁰And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,

³¹Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”

³²Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

³³As 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.

³⁴Therefore 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.”

³⁵And 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.

³⁶Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.

³⁷(We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)

³⁸And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

³⁹Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.

⁴⁰So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.

⁴¹But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.

⁴²The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.

⁴³But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,

⁴⁴and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

This portion of the Book of Acts reads like high adventure action novel. This ship is caught in what we would call a hurricane. The winds are howling, the rain is relentless, and the ship is breaking apart. As I read along the scene is not difficult to imagine. But then I come to verse 37.

We were in all 276 persons in the ship.

That is a number I was not expecting! In my mind’s eye I visualize Paul, his entourage which includes a few guards, and some sailors; maybe 75 guys. That is not the case. There are almost 300 people on board! What was a terrifying and chaotic situation suddenly becomes much larger in my mind. This is a great many people. And they are all facing a watery grave. The ship contains not only Paul and sailors, there are also passengers; lots of them.

But if we go back a few verses we find that Jesus has promised Paul that not one of them would perish if they stay with the ship. Paul trusts in Jesus and because of that faith he advises the guards to cut the life boats loose as anyone who tries that means of escape will perish. It’s a bold move but one based on the promises of Jesus. Paul’s trust in Jesus is at this point complete and he convinces the guards to trust in what Jesus has promised as well. As I said – a bold move. We are also told that they have been stuck in the middle of this storm for 14 days. Imagine the fatigue that would be a part of this situation. Fourteen days with little food, probably less sleep, and the constant fear of death. The people are at a breaking point and Paul cuts off the only apparent means of escape. Bold move. I sincerely doubt if I could exhibit such bravery.

As a student of the Bible one sees numerous stories of God’s people being called to make a bold move. Noah builds an ark, Moses crosses the Red Sea, Joshua brings down the walls of Jericho, and Samson destroys a pagan temple, the Son of Man dies on a cross. These are just a few of the bold moves that take place in the Bible. But they are all inspired and empowered by God Himself. There are no successful bold moves made without God’s power and instigation. He is the Author of every bold move that we are called upon to make. He is the power behind every successful endeavor that furthers His Kingdom. So Paul wasn’t as bold as he was trusting. May my relationship with God be one that is so close to Him that I can also make bold moves because I know that He’s the one who’s doing all the work.

Dear Lord Jesus, please draw me closer to You so that I am confident of Your calling each day. Help me to faithfully move in the directions that You have chosen for me so that I am walking in Your power and not my own. Let those bold moves look instead like acts of obedience. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.