The beloved physician Luke wrote, “when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart there also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lies toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing there, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the people on the boat were, “fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven” where we read:
Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship;
and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
The verse begins, “Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship;” Luke began with the words, “which when they had taken up” which means “that at the time and moment the captain and those who managed the ship elevated and lifted up the ship”, “they used helps” or “the captain and those who managed the ship employed ropes or chains for frapping a vessel”, “undergirding the ship” which means “binding together laterally the sailing vessel or boat enabling it to survive the force of waves and tempest”. Luke shared how the master of the ship and his shipmates lifted the boat and used “ropes or chains” to bind it laterally so that it would endure the force of the waves.
The verse goes on to say, “and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.” Luke continued with the words, “and, fearing” which means “and being afraid and seized with alarm” “lest they should fall” or “unless or whether those on board the ship should perish or be cast” “into the quicksands” which means “into the sand drawn together by the waves”, “strake sail” or “loosened, relaxed and lowered the sail on the ship”, “and so were driven” which means “and therefore were moved by the gusts of the wind”. Luke shared how the captain and those who helped him manage the ship were afraid the ship would be grounded into sands that were drawn together by the winds, so they lowered the “sail” and allowed the ship to be moved by the winds.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn just how tempestuous the winds were that were coming against the ship. Those in charge of the ship decided to lift it up and put ropes or chains around it so it would hold together, and because they were afraid they would be pushed into the sands that assembled because of the storm, they decided to lower the “sail” and allow the ship to be “driven” by the winds. We can imagine how fearful this situation was, and if they had listened to “Paul”, they would not be experiencing these troubles. God, however, knew all these things would occur, and He was watching over “Paul” because “Paul” was to go to “Rome” to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves people, and He watches over those who believe and trust in His Son Jesus with His purpose and plan in mind. Anyone who yields to His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life, and those who are wise will submit to the one who watches over the seas and the ships that sail upon them.
Next time Luke shares how, “the next day they lightened the ship”, 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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