Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now
dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with
hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our
lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner
of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 12 And
because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised
to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice,
and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the
south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly,
supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they
sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called
Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into
the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under a certain island which
is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when
they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing
lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were
driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day
they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own
hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in
many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we
should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and
said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to
be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among
you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of
God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must
be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that
sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Comments by Pam Padgett
Although the tempest continued and from what they could see there
seemed no hope for them, because Paul had heard from God and believed
what he heard, he knew what would happen ... that every person on
the ship would survive ... so he told them to be of good cheer.
Recently I was talking with God about things in my life that are not
good and hinder me, such as being afraid of making a mistake (wanting to
be perfect in the flesh). This is something that has been in my life
since childhood, long-standing, and seems impossible to change. It is
impossible for me to change by my own will or efforts, but God can
change me. I asked God to please help me. After praying, I was
reminded of what we're told in the following and was of good cheer and also comforted, for I believe the
Holy Spirit brought this to my mind showing that
God will help me as I asked ...
Matt. 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one
that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his
son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he
give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(One way I have already been helped is the concept that what is important is being
led by the Holy Spirit in a matter rather than trying to not make a
mistake in the matter. This is also a word Joan had delivered that if I
don't want to make a mistake, just follow the Holy Spirit.)
Reading Acts 27:25 I was also reminded of some promises God has given to us.
We can be of good cheer when we believe that God will do as HE has promised ...
Heb. 13:5 ... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1 Thess. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.