Luke the beloved physician 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 in chapter twenty-seven and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive” where we read:
And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
The verse begins, “And when the ship was caught, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “the ship was caught” or “the sailing vessel or boat was captured, seized and laid hold of by force”. Luke shared how the sailing vessel was captured by the violent wind.
The verse continues, “... and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.” Luke added the words, “and could not bear up” which means “and was unable to be kept straight” “into the wind” or “into the violent stream of air”, “we let her drive” which means “we, Luke, Paul, the others with them and the captain and his ship overseers allowed the ship to endure and be conducted on its own”. Luke shared how the violent wind was so opposing that the master of the ship and his men were unable to control it any longer, and they allowed the ship to carry on by itself.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the violent “stream of air” or “storm” was so opposing to the ship, that the master nor anyone else was able to control it. They finally decided to allow the ship to “drive” on its own, and although they were no longer in control of the boat, God was. God would use this event to lead “Paul” on his journey to “Rome” where he was destined to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves everyone, and even when a contrary storms arises, He will save and bless people with His forgiveness and eternal life when they submit to His Son Jesus. Let all who read these words see the extent to which God desires to save them and yield to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares what happened as they were, “running under a certain island which is called Clauda”, 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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