Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Paul, don’t they? The many trials and tribulations he has faced recently (ch.21-26) have brought him here: to a ship that, for all onboard, has no hope of…being saved.
Being battered and buffeted by a wicked northeaster wind (v.14) the crew call on every one of the 276 people on board (27.37) to pitch in and help (note the ‘we‘ of v.16). The weather gets so bad that there is neither sun nor stars…for many days and the crew seem resigned to death (v.20).
It is easy to find ourselves in situations and overcome by circumstances that have us feeling that there is no hope of being saved. Our earthly perspective can have us thinking that nothing will ever change and the only outcome available is bleak. As we will see in Acts 27 there is always space for God to act, whether we see it or not. The light of God always shines on in the darkness of our perception, and no matter how dark a situation we feel we are in the light still shines on (John 1.5).
The next time you feel down and out, like there is no hope of…being saved, remember what happened here to Paul and the rest of the passengers onboard. Remember that the light will always shine in the darkness, even if we do not feel or perceive it. Remember and retain the truth that Jesus declares in John 8.12:
“I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
James Travis 