Acts 27:13-44
‘They sailed close by Crete…. Not long after, there arose…a tempestuous wind…. The ship was caught…. We were exceedingly tossed by the tempest…. All hope that we would be saved, was then taken away…. They ran the ship aground…. The hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves…. Some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship…, all escaped safely to land!’ Acts 27:13-44.
Calvin comments: “They ‘sailed along the coast of Crete’ — until they were swept away…. ‘The ship was caught’…. What normally happens in a moment of extreme danger, did happen…; driven by the winds!…
“Having been driven near an island, they are just as afraid of the ship breaking up as they previously were of its overturning…. The storm was so violent and severe and persisted so long, that death was threatening them continually….
“They made strenuous use of all remedies which could ward off shipwreck, and did not spare the cargo and the tackle…. When they had tried everything, they despaired of their safety…. The thick dark sky was like some tomb….
“Meanwhile, He allowed His servant (Paul) to suffer with the others — until he thought that he was destined to die…. Not only was his body tossed about in the midst of the storms, but his soul was also shaken by severe and violent temptations. Nevertheless…, he stood firm by faith — and did not give way!…
“(‘We were exceedingly tossed with a tempest…. When…no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away!’)
“Paul…was conscious of the secret direction of the Spirit. So that he who had the Spirit of God guiding him, could confidently assume the rôle…. Paul clearly honours the name of his God before unenlightened men….
“At the same time, we see that Paul triumphs in his bonds…. ‘Fear not, Paul! You must be brought before Caesar!… Look, God has given you all them that sail with you!’… It sometimes happens that, when the Lord spares His Own, He preserves the ungodly for a time along with them…. It is a remarkable pledge of God’s love towards us, that He makes some drops of His kindness flow
from us to others!….
“‘They ran the ship aground’…. The ship was wrecked and broken…. It is fitting that we ponder the wonderful purpose of God…in saving Paul, and in fulfilling His promise when He brings to land the very men to whom no thanks were due!”
Paul was in peril of shipwreck on the sea. But God graciously rescued the entire crew!
