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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Turn to Acts Chapter 27, where we read of Paul’s ‘Mediterranean Cruise’.
It is often easier to face a setback or problem when it is your mistake – but what do we do when it is not our fault?
Sometimes other people make foolish decisions, which can affect us seriously.
Paul always wanted to go to Rome – and he got to Rome – but as a prisoner of the Roman Empire. Acts 27 recounts his journey.
The weather was not good for such sailing – it was the season of probable storms.
Paul told these people what God had revealed to him, and it was ignored or rejected.
They were so concerned about the grain – their commercial interests.
“The ship struck a reef and ran aground. As it was repeatedly smashed by the force of the storm’s waves, the ship began to break apart.” Acts 27 verse 41.
What causes people to make poor choices and decisions that lead to setbacks and storms – or worse? This happens in business – economics – finance – governments – politics – education – morality – in fact, every area of life.
How does this happen?
1 - When we listen to ungodly advice .
Acts 27 verses 9,10 - “Much time had been lost, and day of Fasting has passed so by now it had become dangerous to sail because of the fall weather. So, Paul warned the sailors with this advice “Men, I have perceived that our voyage is going to be disastrous. If we sail now, we’ll lose the cargo, and the ship, and likely our own lives too.”
Verse 11 – “But the Roman officer in charge of the prisoners didn’t listen to Paul. Instead, he followed the advice of the pilot and owner of the ship.”
Have we ever been given bad advice? Have the experts who advise us or advise Governments always been right?
2 – It also can happen when we copy or follow the crowd - Acts 27 verse 12 - “Then the crew decided that they should go ahead and sail up the coast of Crete because the majority wanted to spend the winter in Phoenix and it had a nice harbour.” The majority is often wrong – remember when Moses sent the spies into the Promised Land – the majority was so wrong – Joshua and Caleb were two again twelve.
3 – When we count on circumstances instead of Jesus Christ . Even when it looks good it does not mean that it is going to be all right.
Acts 27 verse 13 – “When a gentle wind began to blow from the south, the crew thought they had obtained what they wanted, and their plan would work. So they pulled up the anchor and sailed as close as possible to the shoreline of Crete.”
Sometimes we see what we want in life – and when we go for it – it may be setting us up for a shipwreck.
O it feels good, so it must be good! O it looks all right so surely it must be all right!
Verse 14 – “But shortly afterward, the weather changed suddenly and a wind of hurricane force came out of the Northeast and blew the ship out to sea.”
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STORMS?
1 – Storms can cause me to drift – to drift from my goal.
“The ship was caught in the storm and the wind was so strong that they could not sail against it. They lost all control, so they stopped trying. They gave up and let the wind drive them, drifting in every direction.” Verse 15
That verse is packed with insight – we lose control or stop trying because we are tired. We give up under pressure and drift in every direction. Why make the effort? Is it worth it? Are we ever going to win and overcome – and be victorious?
Verse 17 – “Then the crew tied ropes around the ship to try to hold it together.”
This would be difficult in good weather, but think what it must have been like in bad weather. What do we do to hold things together when they appear to be falling apart?
2 – Storms can cause me to discard – when we are in pain – when we are in difficulty or down or feel defeated - some things just do not matter so much.
Verses 18,19 – “The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing all the cargo overboard. The following day they even threw out all the ship’s equipment and anything else they could lay their hands on!”
3 - We can start throwing stuff away because storms can lead us to despair.
Verse 20 – “The terrible storm raged unabated for many days, blotting out both the sun and the stars, until in the dark, we finally gave up all hope of being saved .”
Total darkness – no light of the sun – no guiding stars – it is serious.
Everybody is in despair – panicking – except PAUL.
This is not Paul’s storm. Paul is NOT responsible for this situation.
What should I remember when it feels hopeless? The oldest Christian symbol is not the cross – and not the fish – but an ANCHOR .
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul – Hebrews 6 verse 19. How can I anchor my life in a storm? Know the presence of God. Be assured that God is with you. Anchors can prevent us from drifting and sinking.
REMEMBER that GOD is with you .
“Almighty God – we face all kinds of challenges and setbacks which are not of our making. Storms can be raging in various areas of our lives. Help us to remember what is important and central. Enable us to prepare for war and storms in times of peace and calm. Thank You Father, for the teaching and lessons and encouragement in these words of light and truth – in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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