PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 27:39-44
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The centurion… kept them from carrying out their plan.” (Acts 27:43)
I love the layers in this chapter of the story.
We have the soldiers preparing to kill the prisoners, including Paul.
We have the centurion wanting to spare Paul’s life – for some reason he liked Paul.
And silently behind it all, we have God, who is at work for his own purpose.
Humans can scheme and maneuver, but they can’t outmaneuver God.
God promised Paul that everyone would be saved from the ship (Acts 27:23-24)
And this promise is fulfilled: “In this way everyone reached land safely.” (Acts 27:44).
Pharaoh wanted to kill all the boys of Israel, but God stops him.
Mordecai wanted to kill all the Jews (Book of Esther), but God stops him.
Herod wanted to kill all the boys, in order to kill Jesus, but God stops him.
Satan, the religious and political leaders want to kill Jesus, but God stops them.
No one and nothing can stop God’s kingdom purpose from being fulfilled.
There are layers to your story too, and mine: God is up to something!
It may not always be what you hoped or planned, but it will always be for the best.
PRAYER
Lord, I can think of some personal situations where things did not end up good, at least from my point of view. Help me to cling by faith to Your greater purpose, even when I can’t see it.
Oh to see the hand of God at work – providing for Paul’s safety and along with him all the other prisoners as well. I believe Jesus followers are often put in places where their presence spares the lives of those with them. God has his purpose in mind for Paul and so the mind of the centurion orders that the prisoners be spared and allowed to swim to the shore on their own. And so everyone was spared! Lord help me to be a faithful witness of your grace in all circumstances!
BTW: it was Haman – Mordecai was the good guy.