This Doesn't Make Sense - Acts 27:26-44

In my mind, everything was going to work out perfectly.

If God would simply follow my step by step plan, all would go well.

All God had to do was get me the job I wanted, make sure it paid really well, and do all this as quickly as possible.

Simple. Right?

I don’t know about you, but I tend to do this to God frequently.

I have a plan, I believe it is a good plan, and if God will just work things out how I want Him to, everything will be great.

But here’s the thing.

God has His own agenda.

There have been many times in my life where I didn’t get the job I wanted, the one I got didn’t pay well, and the timing was not at all what I would prefer!

God has His own agenda.

He knows what He wants to accomplish through my life, through your life, and here in Acts chapter 27; God knew exactly what He wanted to accomplish through the life of the Apostle Paul.

Paul has been arrested, his life has been threatened, and now he is on his way to Rome to make an appeal to Caesar.

Paul warned them not to set sail when they did, he was ignored, and now they are in the middle of a terrible storm.

You and I may not be in the middle of a literal storm, but the storms of life are surrounding us.

Here is what will get us through.

God has a plan.

God has revealed to Paul that he will stand before Caesar, and that no life will be lost in this storm.

However, it is not all good news because God has also revealed that the boat will run aground on an island.

This is one of those moments where we are tempted to scratch our heads.

God. Rome is not on an island!

If you want me to talk to Caesar, why are we going to the island?!

When life doesn’t make sense, remember that we serve the creator of life.

He has a plan!

The ship Paul is on is approaching land, they are getting closer and closer, the sailors are worried about running aground so they throw out anchors and verse 29 tells us they pray for day to come.

Paul, right in the middle of this storm, on a ship, surrounded by soldiers, prisoners, and sailors. Is exactly where God wanted him for exactly this moment!

Some sailors try to escape but Paul tells the soldiers that they have to stay for everyone to be saved. The soldiers listen to Paul!

Why? Because of what they have seen in him. His life, his testimony has had an impact!

Paul tells them they need to eat food and that not one hair from anyone will be lost.

He breaks bread, gives thanks to God, and everyone eats.

Verse 36 is such a powerful verse.

Acts 27:36 ESV

36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.

This is a small piece of why Paul is there.

He is there to encourage people!

God places His followers in the middle of the storm so that we can bring encouragement to others!

God has a purpose for the storm you are in!

The next day the sailors try to run the ship onto the shore but they get stuck and the waves start tearing the ship apart.

These are the moments we question God, right?

Things aren’t going how we expected. We don’t understand what God is doing.

It doesn’t make sense for me to be in this storm!

God. Has. A. Plan!

Read with me verses 42-44 as this chapter comes to a close.

Acts 27:42–44 ESV

42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

God uses Paul here to literally save lives!

The centurion prevents the slaughter of the prisoners to save Paul!

The last words in the chapter tell us that everyone makes it safely to land!

What is the point of all this?

When nothing makes sense, here is what we place our trust in.

God has a plan!

He placed Paul exactly where He wanted Him which just happened to be on a ship that smashes into an island in the middle of a storm.

Why?

Because there is a gospel opportunity on this island.

The storm you are in? God has a plan for it.

That shipwreck? God has a plan for it.

When we are washed ashore on a metaphorical island, God has a plan!

That plan includes us proclaiming the grace and goodness of our God to everyone who will listen.

Right now. Exactly where you are. God will provide gospel opportunities.

Our task is to recognize them for what they are.