Eat and Live

Acts 27:33-38 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.” 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.
 
276 people on this ship meant this was a diverse group of people. Regardless of their age, social and economic standing, they all were nearly helpless in the storm. Fourteen days of little sleep, food or comfort would cause deep weariness and despair. Paul became God’s gift to them. Paul urged them to eat in a manner similar to his Lord Jesus’ compassion for the thousands: Mark 8:3 “If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
   Paul gave thanks. He broke the bread. And they ate. Didn’t Jesus do that? John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”   
   The people on the plain had all they wanted. The people on the ship ate all they wanted. They then tossed the remaining grain overboard to lightened the boat’s load to prepare to direct the boat to the shore. 
   Remember, God had promised their survival. They had to follow Paul’s instructions. God’s promise came through God’s messenger. How is God speaking to you? Is there something you need to tell others?