Salvation By Shipwreck

Faith in God is demonstrated through trust and obedience.  Even when the circumstances of life seem to dictate more sensible courses of action than faith in God, trusting and obeying God no matter what are keys to comfort, rest, and salvation.  God never works in the way we might predict, for the ways of God are infinitely higher than those of men.  We might have an idea of what God is doing or what we might want Him to do, but God's judgments are not based on our shortsighted, often selfish perspectives.  For God's people all situations are worked out for our good.

The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people.  God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold.  The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation.  Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew.  It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete.  Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest.  The crew and men did everything possible to survive.

Acts 27:16-20 reads, "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 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. ²⁰ Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up."  The men did everything possible to save themselves.  They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard.  All hope of being saved was finally given up.  Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.

During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. ²⁶ However, we must run aground on a certain island."  Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship.  When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid."  Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said:  the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.

Not everyone was keen to take God at His word.  They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth.  As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands.  Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise.  Can't we do the exact same thing?  While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side.  Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."  For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions:  stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved.  Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.

The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44:  "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. ⁴¹ But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. ⁴² And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, ⁴⁴ and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land."  What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation:  all escaped safely to land.  God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship.  When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.

The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross.  All hope seemed lost.  Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said.  It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life.  It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy.  Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others.  When all hope is lost, do not lose heart.  Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.