ESOCS Devotional 20 July 2025 – When the Windy Storm Rages
MEMORY VERSE: “Men, he said, I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on – shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well. But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul.” Acts 27:10-11 NLT
TEXT: ACTS 27:1-19
And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the [e]Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
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When the windy storm of life rages, and trials and tribulations seem overwhelming, who do you turn to? (Mark 4:37-40). In our text, the winds were blowing contrary to the course of their Italy-bound ship. Consequently, they struggled against the contrary winds for many days. With great difficulty, they arrived Claudia. Yet, their destination was still a far way off. So much time had now been lost in course of the journey because of the unfavourable weather. Sailing was most dangerous at that time of the year due to harsh windy storms.
As a servant of God, Paul’s personal observation moved him to intuitively advise that it was too dangerous to sail on. By instinct, he concluded that the voyage would end in disaster. This he pointed out to Julius (the officer in charge of the prisoners). Unfortunately, Julius was more inclined to listen to the ship captain, who insisted on moving on.
Not long after they set sail, a more dangerous tempest arose. The ship was caught by the furious wind, and thus they were carried along uncontrollably. The fatigue of the struggle was much. And following the desperation of their situation, they had given up all hope of survival. One can only conclude that God was at work, wearing everyone down, in order that they would listen to the advice of Paul, the servant of God.
They had not eaten for many days. Then Paul the Lord’s servant reminded them of his earlier advice. But the Christ-sent apostle encouraged them with the Good News. He assured the entire crew that no one would be lost. However, the ship would sink (vv. 21, 22).
Child of God, when the going gets tough, whose voice would you listen to – God or a human expert? (See 2 Chronicles 20:14-17).
CHALLENGES
- When the troubles of life seem overwhelming, who do you turn to?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, give me the grace to build my faith in you more and more.
FURTHER READING: Hosea 12:1-14; Joel 1:1-20; Acts 26:14-32
ESOCS Devotional 20 July 2025
