The beloved physician Luke wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were sailing through a storm toward Rome, and “when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, ...”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse thirty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul said, “Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved” where we read:
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.
The verse begins, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, ...” Luke began with the words, “Paul said to the centurion” which means “Paul, whose name means small or little, uttered, declared and proclaimed to the officer in the Roman army who was captain of one hundred men” “and to the soldiers” or “and toward the Roman champions or military men” the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” spoke the following words to the “centurion, Julius” and to the military men who accompanied him.
The verse goes on to say, “... Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Luke continued with the words, “except these abide” which means “unless and whether the men who were attempting to escape by the lifeboat stay, remain and continue” “in the ship” or “within the sailing vessel or boat”, “you cannot be saved” which means “you, centurion, will not and in no way be capable of being kept safe, sound and rescued from danger or destruction”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “centurion” if the people who were attempting to escape by the lifeboat did not remain in the ship, there was no way for them to be rescued and kept alive.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” actually became the “captain” of this voyage. He had greater insight into the care of the sailors and people aboard than the “centurion” or the master and owner of the ship. God was with “Paul”, and He purposed to have “Paul” travel to “Rome” so he could share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ with the people there. God loves people, and He knows how to direct their lives. He wants people to believe and trust in His Son Jesus so they may be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will see the Lord's hand with “Paul” and those within this ship, and make note that He is able to save and guide all who believe and trust in His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how, “the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off”, 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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