Acts 27: Who Do You Serve?
Verse of the Day: (V23) “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,”
1. Sail (V1-20)
V1 “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.”
Apostle Paul, a Roman prisoner, together with other prisoners, set sail to Italy, under the command of Julius, a centurion. The prisoners would be in Italy to be judged and sentenced by Caesar, the Roman emperor. Whenever Paul went, God was with him. Even though Paul was a prisoner yet Julius treated him well and Paul was refreshed during the voyage. However, they met a terrible storm, and they had to cast out everything on board the ship. The storm continued, and all hope vanished, and they all thought they would die.
V20 “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”
2. Serve (V21-40)
V22 “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”
In the midst of hopelessness, Paul stood up, and encouraged them that God was with them. Paul shared his testimony that he belonged to God and he served the true God. He assured them that God’s angel had spoken to him, and that they should not fear for their lives, for they would all be saved on an island, though the ship would be badly damaged.
V23 “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,”
3. Save (V41-44)
V43 “But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:”
Indeed, God never fails in His promises as God brought all of them safely onto an island. In fact, as the badly damaged ship anchored near the island, the soldiers decided to kill all the prisoners as they thought that they would swim to shore and then escaped. However, the centurion desiring to save Paul, commanded the soldiers to spare all the prisoners.
V44 “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I serve You, the true and living God.
