SCRIPTURE: ACTS
27:31-32 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay
in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the
skiff and let it fall off.
OBSERVATION: (What a
picture!)Contrary to the advice of Paul not to brave the seas in winter, the
helmsmen persuaded the centurion to set sail anyhow. The wisdom of the man was taken over the
wisdom of a prophet.
From there the storm indeed came and was with them for weeks. Paul had been visited and encouraged by an angel of God and strengthened them by telling them that none of them would perish but that they must run aground on a certain island. Suddenly the men believe an island (their salvation from the storm) is near and wish to exit the ship and make for shore. Paul tells them that unless they stay “you cannot be saved.” Their reaction…they cut the ropes from the skiff and let it run off. Later on, they even cast off their anchors!
From there the storm indeed came and was with them for weeks. Paul had been visited and encouraged by an angel of God and strengthened them by telling them that none of them would perish but that they must run aground on a certain island. Suddenly the men believe an island (their salvation from the storm) is near and wish to exit the ship and make for shore. Paul tells them that unless they stay “you cannot be saved.” Their reaction…they cut the ropes from the skiff and let it run off. Later on, they even cast off their anchors!
APPLICATION: Wisdom
unheeded is a dangerous business. In our
own lives when someone of godly authority speaks life and lesson to help steer
the ship of our lives, we do well to heed it quickly. Why weather storms that were never intended
for us? We can either live by
consequences or wisdom.
