When Feeling Hopeless...

Please turn to Acts 27...Acts 27:1 —and I will read the first 2 verses for context...

As you are turning there...I want you to reflect on a moment...what is the most hopeless you have ever felt?

Have you ever watch survival stories?

one of the most famous stories was in the early 1970’s a rugby team from Uruguay set out for a match in Chile (South America) on a plane. Some brought friends or family members, some left them behind. On their small chartered plane, everyone was giddy with excitement. But as they made their way over the Andes, the plane started to descend — far too early. They struck a mountain and broke into pieces. Miraculously, some of the 45 passengers on board survived — but they faced perilous conditions. 

But on their way through the snowy Andes — just short of their destination — the plane crashed deep in the barren mountains, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees below zero. Twelve people died on impact and several more were gravely injured. Only 29 lived to see a second day in the Andes. 

Though multiple search-and-rescue planes combed the area, the search was eventually called off and the passengers were presumed dead. But many of them were still alive, starving and struggling to stay warm deep in the mountains. Those who survived spent nearly two-and-a-half months living in what remained of the plane’s fuselage before eventually being rescued. (it’s now told in a Netflix movie—Society of the Snow).

I have never felt that hopeless as some of them did on that survival experience...but I bring that up to help us think about what Paul and this crew is about to feel.

Acts 27:1 NIV

1 When it was decided that we (so Luke the author is with them) would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

Acts 27:2 NIV

2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

Paul has been in prison and on trial for a few years now...waiting for justice from powerful leader like the Romans governors Felix, Festus, and Herod Agrippa—but none came.

He just appealed to have his case taken to Rome to Caesar, to the Emperor - to the highest power of the land.

so this chapter and the beginning of next—detail how he gets there.

If you look on the map, he is boarding a ship here in Caesarea. along with other prisoners (who some historians believe those prisoners were sent to Rome to be gladiators in the arena)

and I won’t read verses 3-8—but they basically travel from Caesaream around Cyprus, to Myra, and then get on another boat and head all the way to Fair Havens on the island of Crete in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

It wasn’t easy sailing either.

let’s skip to verse 9...

Acts 27:9–12 NIV

9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement (so it’s getting late in the season to sail- either late Sept or early October). So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

map—so they are at Lasea/Fair Havens—and they only need to get about 40 miles northwest for the winter...

Paul says “don’t go.” they go anyway...what do you think is going to happen?

Paul knows his stuff—theologians estimate he has traveled more than 3000 - 3500 miles already!! by land and sea! he has experienced shipwreck before.

Acts 27:13–20 NIV

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, (which they may have been pulling behind the boat) 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Do you see how bleak this is?

they don’t have modern technology or instruments like we do today.

They are somewhere here...in the sea...

they are so desperate they are throwing the cargo overboard...and the tackle refers to some of the equipment. you know it must be desperate!

Luke—the author is with them, a Christian and feels that desperation.

and I think you can relate. ever been hopeless or felt hopeless before in life? most of us will at some point...

I felt that a couple points in my life...

my wife and I - I have shared this before...before we had our 3 kids...we experienced 2 miscarriages...and wondered what is God doing—is God ever going to give us kids? that felt like a big season of hopelessness...

I felt it during the Covid season—not because of Covid—but trying to help lead our church through Covid—everyone just felt angry and irrational—like we all had road rage...and I can be a sensitive soul. It was a tough season for me personally.

but some of you have faced even harder things than me:

—cancer diagnoses

—loss of loved ones—especially unexpectedly...

—relational challenges

—crimes committed against you—abuse...

—deep in substance abuse and addiction...

—maybe a deep depression that just won’t lift...

—just one thing after another...

we feel like there is no hope of being saved...

If we could each share—when is the most hopeless you ever felt in life...if we could pass the microphone around...I think

What do you do in hopelessness?

When Feeling Hopeless...

Admit it. (vs. 20)

look at verse 20 again...

Acts 27:20 NIV

20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Luke the author admits it. They are in a desperate situation. They think their lives are going to be lost—life is out of control.

and I find this instructive...

usually when we feel hopeless and overwhelmed, sometimes in the church world we feel bad about it. we feel like we have to put on a good face. “How are you doing?” “Oh the Lord...is working out all things for my good...” (which is true)...but it’s also denying reality.

it’s over-spiritualizing, which is not good.

plenty of Biblical Christian characters felt hopeless - Luke here for sure...others in Scripture like King David in the Psalms - wrote a lot of psalms of lament, Jeremiah the prophet who was thrown in a well, a muddy, stinky cistern...the disciples after Jesus died.

If you are feeling hopeless, God gets you...the Bible gets you. We have lots of examples.

No, we don’t want you to stay there of course...

but we often...either...

—deny it

—minimize it

—stuff it...

—maybe over-spiritualize it...

—or maybe we just feel bad because we feel bad...I know Scripture calls me to rejoice in the Lord always...but we need to face reality—if we are feeling hopeless today for all sorts of reasons in life—medical, physical, financial, relational—let’s come to grips with reality—let’s name it before God who already knows it.

—let’s press into it—but we do it before God...not alone...

—so I would encourage you if you feel hopeless and you have not admitted it—that’s the first step. be honest with yourself before God. even tell someone else about it. huge step!

Acts 27:21–26 NIV

21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. (he says I told you so) 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

so Paul is speaking to a mainly non-Christian audience. we know Luke is another Christian with him, and in vs. 2 Aristarchus.

if you go back even further, Paul felt called to go to Rome (Acts 19:21)

and God already reassured him at least once that he would get there

Acts 23:11 NIV

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

so now, Paul speaks of an angel, encouraging him, reminding him of that promise.

It’s possible Paul even felt hopeless some, too. That would be a normal human reaction.

but it speaks to another action in hopelessness...

when feeling helpless...

2. and that’s trust God’s revelation....(vs.21-26) Lean on God’s revelation, recall, remember...

Now, certainly Paul gets a pretty unique revelation. An angel appears.

an angel speaks to him.

it is certainly possible that can happen today—I do believe.

but the biggest way God reveals himself to us—His revelation is in Scripture—both the OT and NT (they only had the OT then when Paul was traveling).

we need to read and be saturated in God’s Word, so that when life is squeezing us—Scripture comes out, Scriptures come to mind.

In fact, I find this passage in Acts 27, from a historical and scientific standpoint, so interesting, so accurate, so detailed...it just gives me confidence that God’s Word is not some fairy tale—Luke who wrote this, carefully investigated it. This is an accurate account giving me even more confidence that I can trust that it is accurate and it communicates who God is.

so how are you doing in trusting God’s revelation?

part of the basis of this—are you spending time in the Word?

We have some resources (devotionals) for your sake

or maybe for your family’s sake

are you part of a Sunday morning group or a Bible study, or a Wednesday night group.

and there will be days—if you commit to reading the bible—you are not always going to get a warm fuzzy feeling.

in fact, you may not get anything out of it that day—especially if you are reading the Bible in Leviticus about infectious skin diseases or bodily fluids that make you unclean.

but in that spiritual discipline or reading or listening to God’s Word—God is day by day—shaping you into His image. You are being reminded that I do not live on bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Acts 27:27–32 NIV

27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

and this brings us to another lesson...

3. Hold the tension between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility (vs. 24, 31-32)

We trust God’s sovereign plan, but we must be obedient to God. (vs. 24, 31-32)

This is the tension between God’s sovereign plan—He is in control of all things.

yet we are still held accountable and responsible for our decisions.

in verse 24—God promised that all the men would be spared on the ship....

but this doesn’t mean we are passive...they must still react.

we see this tension of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility throughout Scripture.

I think of the character Judas who betrayed Jesus. It was prophesied, God’s plan that he would, yet he willingly chose it.

Judas was responsible for it, but it was under the sovereign plan of God to bring about the crucifixion of His Son.

I think of the characters Jacob and Esau in the OT—Jacob was known as a trickster and deceiver. He constantly made bad decisions that dishonored God—he was responsible—but none of this surprised God. God used all of it for Jacob to have 12 sons who became the foundation of the 12 tribes of Israel.

and again we see that tension here—God has promised protection and provision —He is in control, but they must stick together and stay on teh ship.

and I think this applies to hopelessness...as well.

We need to be reminded that there is a big, theologians use the term “Sovereign” God who is in control.

Sovereign means he is king!

we see that sovereignty here—God is providing every step of the way...

and yet they must still obey.

God’s sovereign plan is so comforting—God’s got a plan—He is working out things for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose...but it doesn’t mean we just lay back and do nothing. instead God’s sovereignty gives us confidence and trust to be comforted and to act. To not panic like these soldiers were doing, but to trust and wait on God, and act when He calls us to act.

if you are feeling hopeless—one of the best prescriptions I always recommend is to dive in deep into the sovereignty of God...meditating on things like

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Genesis 50:20 NIV

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

and yet at the same time, as we dive in deep, asking God, what are you calling me to do to help get out of this hopelessness? What help do I need to reach out—a counselor, mentor, friend, pastor?

What resources would help me? maybe I need to take a step and first tell someone.

Maybe I need to get some counseling.

Maybe God is calling me to be a little more patient.

How can God’s sovereignty compel me to act? or at least actively wait...

Acts 27:33–38 NIV

33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” (reminds us of one of Jesus’ promises) 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

(to lighten the load a little more)

Acts 27:39–44 NIV

39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

4. We trust God’s sovereign plan, but that doesn’t mean we are spared from difficulty.

God’s call to Paul to get to Rome and testify...took a while...

It was God’s plan...

yet—God had Paul wait in prison for at least 2 years.

It’s possible that his journey by ship and eventually by land took another 6 months to get to Rome.

if you look at the map again...

by the end of chapter 27 they are here on the left hand side—a city called Malta.

God’s plan and will was not a straight line for Paul—it involved all kinds of twists and turns.

God’s plan and will did not spare Paul from waiting, from suffering, from difficulties—in fact, it was all part of it.

and in fact, God used that plan for Paul to testify before kings and queens, governors, and now all 276 of them on board saw and heard Paul, as he testified about God.

We have this misconception from God that if he calls us to follow Him or calls us to a new ministry or venture, it will be easy...but Acts 27 reminds us it not always easy. In fact, it can get harder.

but God is sovereign. He is faithful. He provides...He is the God of the storm.

and even if Paul would have died here—I still believe God was in control and God of the storm.

and I think that’s what gave Paul—poise and leadership. His poise is amazing.

Everyone around him feels hopeless, and he is only one that feels hopeful.

How could he be like that?

if you think about this image of the storm and sea...you can trace this all through Scripture.

The sea and the storm is an image of chaos.

Genesis 1:2 NIV

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

and from that chaos of the waters, God spoke and created all things. He is the God of the sea and storm.

We read in Exodus 14....that God parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites through on dry ground, and when the enemies—the Egyptians chased them—he brought the storm on them.

We read the power of the storm and sea in the book of Jonah.

difference between here and Jonah.

Jonah’s presence and disobedience brought on the storm...and the winds went away in his absence...

In Luke’s narrative, Paul was obedient and still faced the storm, and his presence actually led to the deliverance of those onboard.

reminds us of Jesus...

Luke 8:22–25 NIV

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

we read in Matthew 14 that Jesus walked on water. and Peter did too but when he saw the winds he was afraid and began to sink—and Jesus encouraged him not to doubt.

Paul displayed poise—but Jesus, was sleeping in a storm, he had so much poise.

and he is the Lord of the storm.

The reason that Paul had so much hope when everyone was hopeless was because of Jesus—He knew the one personally who calmed the storm, who walked on water...and on the cross, went through the ultimate storm for us—taking our sin and the wrath of God. on the cross, Jesus faced a worst storm than Paul and the crew faced here—as He became sin who knew no sin.

Hebrews 5:7 NIV

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Hebrews 5:8 NIV

8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered

so we don’t deny our hopelessness, we admit it.

we trust and soak in God’s revelation...that’s ongoing...

we navigate that tension between God is in control yet we are responsible—that gives us hope and comfort but also doesn’t make us passive robots.

we know God is in control but it doesn’t spare us from suffering.

and we can trust that God’s got this—because He faced a worst storm for us through Jesus Christ...

Take a moment right now...