The beloved physician Luke wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were sailing toward Rome, “and we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse thirty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “they discovered a certain creek with a shore” where we read:
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore,
into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
The verse begins, “And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when it was day” which means “and at the time and moment the sunrise to sunset appeared”, “they knew not the land” or “the men aboard the ship were unaware of and did not recognize the region, arable land, territory or country”: “but they discovered a certain creek” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the men aboard the ship perceived, observed and considered a particular bay of the sea” “with a shore” or “along with a beach or shore of the sea”. Luke shared how the men aboard the ship noticed a particular “bay” that was accompanied by a “beach shore” ahead of them.
The verse goes on to say, “... into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.” Luke continued with the words, “in the which they were minded” which means “into the bay with the shore the men aboard the ship took counsel, considered and deliberated among themselves”, “if it were possible” or “whether or in case the following might happen or occur”, “to thrust in the ship” which means “into which to propel and drive the sailing vessel or boat”. Luke shared how the men aboard the ship counseled together and decided whether they might propel the ship into the bay which they observed.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the men aboard the ship observed a “bay” with a “beach” ahead of them, and they met together to decide whether they might propel the ship toward that bay. This effort would come with some risk, however, let us continue to be reminded that God was watching over this voyage. We shall see how this works out for them in our next verses, but for now, let us remember that God was determined to send “Paul” to “Rome” to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people there. The determination of the men aboard the ship was a “man-made” solution, and when that is relied upon, there would be results that were unintended for those aboard. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who realize this “eternal destination and shore” will not be disappointed when they surrender their lives to Him.
Next time Luke shares, “when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea”, 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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