The beloved physician Luke wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were sailing toward Rome, and although Paul warned them not to leave Crete and a storm arose, “when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “I exhort you to be of good cheer” where we read:
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer:
for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
The verse begins, “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer:” Luke began with the words, “and now I exhort you” which means “and at this time I, Paul, admonish, advise and encourage you, centurion, master of the ship and the others aboard” “to be of good cheer” or “to exist as joyful, in good spirits and of good courage”. Luke shared how “Paul” continued his speech to the people aboard the ship and encouraged them to be “cheerful” and full of joy.
The verse continues, “for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.” Luke added the words, “for there shall be no loss” which means “because, since and on account that there will exist not any repudiation, losing or casting away” “of any man's life among you” or “pertaining to any person's living and breath for anyone who is aboard the sailing vessel”, “but of the ship” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover sailing vessel or boat would be lost”. Luke shared how “Paul” told everyone on the ship they would not lose their lives, but the ship itself would be destroyed.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” sought to encourage everyone on the “ship”. Though they were in the middle of a storm and believed they would die within it, “Paul” told them to be cheerful because he knew no one's life would be lost. The ship, however, was to be destroyed. “Paul” warned the master and owner of the ship as well as the centurion about these results if they left “Crete”, but they did not listen to him. The “cargo” and the “ship” itself were destined to be destroyed, but God Himself would secure the lives of every person aboard. God knows every person is in the path of an eternal storm. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross and be raised from the dead so that every person who believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted eternal life and to enjoy a personal relationship with Him. Those who are wise are encouraged by the words of “Paul” and understand this was another attempt for God Almighty to save them for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “there stood by me this night the angel of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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