Landed

Acts 27:39-44 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 pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.
 
THE seasoned sailors knew what to do to guide the ship to shore. Wisdom prevailed as the ship broke apart. People did as they were told. All survived the terrible ordeal as God had promised. With his instructions to Paul, the LORD had shown them the way home. Even those who had sought to escape on the lifeboat and the soldiers who wanted to kill the prisoners arrived safely.
   We could ask, “Why the storm?” God’s plan is to put Paul in Rome. Why did the Lord not simply direct a safe, quick passage?
   The answer to “Why?”’ doesn’t matter. We don’t need to know or debate on God’s reasons. To ask, “Why the storms?” you could also ask, “Why did Jesus say, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”  (Matthew 16:24-25) 
   The Christian life is not asking God, “Why?” it’s asking God, “What do you want me to do?” To follow Jesus means you will often find yourself in some degree of turmoil. The natural world wants to shipwreck your life, even drown your faith because you stand for the firm ground of God’s righteous commands.
   We can think God created that storm on Paul’s voyage for a certain purpose. But we may be more accurate to understand the storm was a natural response to atmospheric conditions at the time. The ship and its occupants were at the storm’s mercy. Then God stepped in to reveal his mercy. He instructed. The apostle obeyed. All lived.
   When Paul wrote, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) he was not merely looking at daily challenges. He had triumphed through the lashings, stonings, persecution and imprisonment to point people to Jesus. He understood God did not create each crisis. Corrupt hearts had stormed against him. But God had given him the words to stay safe in Jesus. Paul had obeyed to stay safely under God’s eternal care.
   The storms come. God gives you the way to safety. Heed his commands, and you will stand on Jesus, your firm foundation.