Warnings
BRD REFLECTIONS
Acts 27:1-26 and Psalm 119:1-32 (NIV)
(Rosalia Mahendran, Pastoral Team Member, Crisis Relief Wesley)
READ:
Acts 27:1-26 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In previous chapters, we read that “Paul did not commit anything that deserves death nor imprisonment” and he could have been freed but because he appealed to Caesar, he would have to be brought to Caesar in Rome. (God had planned for Paul to speak and testify in Rome and he had been warned of the sufferings that awaited him along the way.)
Paul together with some other prisoners were accompanied by a centurion named Julius and the soldiers. They boarded ships that would take them to Rome. In v10, Paul warned them: “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.”
But the centurion disregarded the warning given by Paul and chose instead to listen to the pilot and the owner of the ship. (v11)
From v13 onwards, we read about the consequences of disregarding the warning of Paul. The ship suffered a violent battering from the storm which continued raging for many days till the passengers gave up hope of being saved. In such a state, Paul stood up and spoke to the people, telling them that they should have listened to his warning. Then they would have spared themselves the damage and loss. He then urged them to keep up their courage because no one would be lost, only the ship would be destroyed. It is really very courageous of Paul to say that with confidence and authority. Where did that come from? It came from the angel of God, the God whom Paul served and who stood by Paul’s side. This angel of God told Paul not to be afraid and added that Paul must stand trial before Caesar and that no lives on the ship would be lost. (vv23-24)
In vv25-26, Paul affirmed his faith in God’s word, and asked everyone to keep up their courage and warned them that they must run aground on some island.
APPLY:
- Warnings are given for a difficult situation that may happen: As a prisoner, Paul could have been freed but he chose to appeal to stand before Caesar to testify about the living God. In doing so, he had to go through the experience of being dragged as a prisoner to Rome. He had been warned about this situation.
- Warnings are to be shared to save lives and properties: Paul as a prisoner on board the ship may not have had the authority to warn others, but he acted boldly to save lives and prevent damage. Paul had warned them of disaster if they sailed the ship. Sadly, they did not listen to the warning and so experienced a great loss when they encountered the violent storms and raging seas. Paul suffered along with everyone on board the ship. Despite being in such a desperate state, Paul boldly reproached them. While he reprimanded them for not listening to his warning, he also advised them on how their lives would be saved amidst losses and damage.
- Warnings are God’s expression of His love and care: In such a disastrous situation, God sent His angel to deliver a message to Paul to not be afraid; he would still testify to Caesar and all the lives of the people onboard would be saved. He also warned Paul that the ship would run aground. What a timely word to receive when all hope of being saved was gone.
DO:
- I know that as a follower of Christ, I am not spared from sufferings. May the presence of the Lord be with me as I tread on the path to do His will. As doing His will may require more hardship and less freedom, may I have the grace and courage to continue heeding the call of God and following in His ways.
- May the Lord give me boldness to act in those situations that warrant such actions as that of warning, reprimanding and encouraging others, and to do it with confidence in what God has revealed to accomplish His plan and purposes.
- Be thankful to God for warnings, angels of God and timely words of encouragement and endearment that sustain me in my walk with Him and with the faith community.
PRAY:
Lord, you are my God who warns me of any difficult road ahead as I choose to walk in your ways. May I never waver in my zeal and obedience to do your will. Help me to be faithful in service even as I experience more challenges and difficulties in fulfilling your call. Thank you for your presence and ministering angels. Thank you for your words of life that sustain me daily. In Christ’s name. Amen.
