All Hope Was Gone

The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. [Acts 27.20]

How may times do we get in this situation? Oh, not on a ship literally about to be destroyed, but don't we find ourselves in life situations where it appears there is no way out?

For many, as it was for the people aboard this ship, their dire situation is clearly the result of bad decisions. Wrong choices have been made, whether corporately, or by leadership, and now the consequences of those choices are 'going to leave a mark.'

It is at this point, we need a word from God, isn't it?

In fact, in the situation Paul and every other passenger and crew on the ship were in, Paul brought that word from God.

No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” [Acts 27.21-26]

Paul took on quite the responsibility to believe that all the others aboard would be saved for his own sake. But he did. Paul's relationship and communication with God were so real in his life that he spoke openly and confidently to everyone else from that position. And, they believed him.

You know, if we are not going to have this kind of relationship with God, wouldn't it still make sense for us to stay in company of someone who does? It sure turned out good for the passengers and crew of that ship! Mind you, at one point in this story, some even tried to abandon ship, but the corporate decision was made that they should all stay together because Paul had said so.

Just what was it about Paul, a prisoner at this point, that would cause the captain, crew, and passengers alike to believe anything he said, let alone guide them through this life or death circumstance?

I think the passage we started with says it all. EVERYONE had lost hope... well, everyone except Paul.

There is something about hope in just one person that can affect multitudes. Paul's hope saved 276 souls from perishing at sea. Think about that... Paul's hope was based on having heard from God.

Shouldn't we spend the necessary time with God and His Word for US to have a word from God? I say, "yes." It could just be that our hope alone 'saves the whole ship.'

Father, help us to be people of Your Word. And, as we are, help us be people of hope so we can influence the lives of all who surround us. So be it.