IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The Storm at Sea

Date: Sep. 9, 2019

Passage

Acts 27:13-26

The Storm at Sea

13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Acts 27:22

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

1. They gave up all hope (13-20)

Not long after they had left Crete, a Northeaster came, bringing hurricane-force winds. They lost control of the ship and just let themselves move where the storm took them. Two days in, they threw the cargo overboard; on the third, they threw the tackle over. After several days of being battered by the storm, they gave up hope that they would ever be saved. They believed they were going to all drown.

2. Paul gave them hope (21-26)

Paul saw they had gone a long time without food. This prisoner became a shepherd for everyone on board and urged them to take courage and to eat. He testified that an angel of the God to whom he belonged came to him and told him he would stand before Caesar to testify and that God had graciously spared all on board. In the midst of so much mayhem, Paul was a rock of faith for others. As Jesus' people, we should have this kind of courage and faith in all kinds of adversity. We should be ready to help others take courage in God.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me to hear and to give your word in times of adversity. Help me to be a shepherd when all is in chaos.

One Word: Keep up your courage in God

Daily Bread

Burn Fragrant Incense on the Altar

Exodus 30:1-21

Key Verse: 30:7,8

And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it,

Read More

Intro Daily