Monday, July 8, 2013


JULY 9
Passing Time

Acts 27:1-20 New International Version (NIV)

27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.[a] So Paul warned them, 10 “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.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

The Storm

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[b] and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
************************************
We read the scriptures line by line.... not aware of the time that passes in those words....
They were going to winter in Phoenix.... (NOT ARIZONA) ...they were waiting for favorable weather to sail.... this was not a quick one day to the next event. it no doubt took much planning and the seafarer's knowledge of the climate to determine a safe departure time...
Even though Paul was heading for further trials and questionings... he was treated with favor and kindness... he was actually allowed to stay with friends.
Those who were in charge of him, obviously knew that he was a man of his word, totally trustworthy.
They would have been risking their own lives to let him out of their sight... if it weren't for the fact that they truly must have trusted him.
In the time spent together, Paul would have been ministering to them... reaching out to them with the truth and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I wonder how many of them became believers and followers of Jesus because of this.
To us... we must spend our time well.... make the most of any chance that comes our way.
Time is precious...
 

No comments: