Paul

November 28

Acts 27:39 - 28:6

The shipwreck

One night, an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Don’t be afraid! You will appear before the Emperor of Rome. And because of God’s goodness to you, He will also spare the lives of those who are with you.”

The next day, Paul spoke to the men on the ship. “You should have listened to me and stayed in the harbor,” he said. “But take heart, although the ship and everything on it will sink, not one of you will drown.”

Everyone felt better and had something to eat; then they threw the rest of the food into the sea to lighten the ship.

When daylight came, they saw an island in the distance so they hoisted the sail and headed for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbank and started to break up. Everyone jumped overboard into the rough sea. Some swam ashore while others clung to pieces of wood, until finally, everyone reached the shore, cold and exhausted.

Is it wrong to feel like giving up?

Do you think Paul ever felt like giving up? Do you think it is wrong to feel discouraged? This wasn’t the first shipwreck Paul had survived. It didn’t seem fair that Paul, who served God with such eagerness, should face so much hardship. Paul actually gives us a list of some of those hardships (see 2 Corinthians 11:24-27).

Feelings are real. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t get discouraged. At one point, even the prophet Elijah wanted to give up (1 Kings 19:4). What is important, however, is that we don’t allow the feeling of discouragement to control our actions, because then we would probably quit.

Paul realized that, having a goal—and being determined to reach that goal—made his decision to keep going much easier (see Philippians 3:14).

Verse for today

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9