His Word Today

^11 “After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. ¹² Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. ¹³ And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. ¹⁶ And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.” (Acts 28:11–16 (ESV)

Paul and Luke, along with the other passengers and crew of the shipwrecked vessel, remained on the island of Malta for three months in order to wait for winter to pass. When spring arrived, they set sail on a ship that had also wintered in the island.

Luke informs us that the ship in question was from Alexandria, Egypt. It had the twin gods as a figurehead. These would have been Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus.  In Greek mythology, they both were considered the patron gods of seafarers.

Luke then begins to chronicle the places the ship frequented. These ports included Syracuse, which was located on the island of Sicily. Sicily is just south of Italy.

The ship then arrived at Rhegium and then Puteoli.  Rhegium was a harbor on the southern tip of the Italian mainland. There the ship waited one day for a favorable wind to permit it to sail through the Straits of Messina (separating Sicily from the Italian mainland). Puteoli, known today as Pozzuoli, was located on the Bay of Naples near Pompeii. It was Rome’s main port and the most important one in Italy. Puteoli was also the main port for the Egyptian grain fleet.

It was at Puteoli that Paul and Luke met fellow believers in Christ. They stayed with them for a week. Following their stay, Paul and Luke finally arrived into the city of Rome.

Many believers, who heard that Paul had arrived into the city, came to meet him and Luke. Paul expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Lord.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “At last God was bringing Paul to Rome. And the welcome of fellow believers, whom he had never met, uplifted his soul. So they proceeded on the Appian Way, “the queen of the long roads,” to the city of Rome.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “When he (Paul) wrote to the believers in Rome several years earlier, he anticipated his and their mutual encouragement through each other’s faith (Romans 1:11-12). That anticipation is now fulfilled.”

Soli deo Gloria!    

^7 “Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. ⁹ And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. ¹⁰ They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.” (Acts 28:7–10 (ESV)

God’s providence is defined as the rule of God in both heaven and earth, governing the activities of mankind and of nature. Throughout Paul’s life, particularly during his journey to Rome, God was working; even in the many difficult circumstances the apostle and his companions encountered.

Luke continues the narrative by introducing a man of Malta known as Publius. Luke called him a “chief man” which means either a prominent or an important individual on Malta. Perhaps he was a government official.

Publius was also a hospitable man for he entertained Paul, and at least Luke, for three days. It was during these visits that Publius’ father became ill with a fever and with dysentery. He suffered from some kind of intestinal illness. One commentator states that Publius’ father suffered from a “gastric fever (caused by a microbe found in goat’s milk) that was common on Malta and referred to as “Malta Fever.” Dysentery, was often the result of poor sanitation, and was widespread in the ancient world.

Paul took the liberty of visiting Publius’ father. He prayed on the man’s behalf, and also laid hands on him and healed him. The man was immediately cured.

This prompted other people on the island who were sick to also come and see Paul. They too were cured.

As a result, the islanders of Malta honored Paul and his companions. It was at this time that arrangements were made to secure another ship bound for Rome, for Luke mentions that the Maltese people provided many supplies as Paul and the others were ready to set sail. Further details about the ship will be forthcoming when next we meet.

While Rome was Paul’s desired destination, he recognized the providence of God in ministering to the people of Malta. So too should we acknowledge that circumstances we might conclude as interruptions, are in actuality divine appointments.

Soli deo Gloria!

“After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. ² The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. ³ When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. ⁴ When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.” (Acts 28:1–6 (ESV)

The island on which the Apostle Paul and the other passengers and crew who were shipwrecked was Malta. Malta means “refuge.” How appropriate and providential.

Luke records that the native people of the island displayed unusual kindness to the castaways. Remember, the storm was still raging and an autumn cold had settled over the island. The stranded voyagers were in danger of experiencing hypothermia. However, the islanders build a fire by which the passengers could get warm and dry.

Displaying his spiritual gift of helps, Paul gathered a bundle of sticks for kindling. He then put them on the fire. It was at that precise moment that a viper came out of the fire because of the heat and fashioned its jaws upon the apostle’s hand.

The islanders had the common perspective, which remains to this day, that bad things happen to people who are deserving of them (see John 9:1-2). The islanders must have observed that Paul was a Roman prisoner. They concluded among themselves, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” In other words, Paul may have cheated divine justice from the sea, but justice had caught up with him by the snake’s bite.

However, Paul shook off the snake from his hand and threw it into the fire. Astoundingly, the apostle suffered no harm. The natives waited for Paul to begin feeling and showing the affects from the snake bite. None came.

Like the Lystrans (Acts 14:11-12), who proclaimed Paul and Barnabas to be gods, the Maltese people also said that the apostle must be a god. What a drastic change in their perspective. However, Paul was a servant of the One, True God.

The story is told that on one rainy day, a man accompanied by two women arrived at Northfield, hoping to enroll his daughter in D.L. Moody’s school for young women. The three needed help in getting their luggage from the railway depot to the hotel, so the visitor “drafted” a rather common-looking man with a horse and wagon, assuming he was a local cabby. The “cabby” said he was waiting for students, but the visitor ordered him to take them to the hotel. The visitor was shocked when the “cabby” did not charge him, and was even more shocked to discover that the “cabby” was D.L. Moody himself! Moody was a leader because he knew how to be a servant.

Soli deo Gloria!

^39 “Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. ⁴⁰ So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. ⁴¹ But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. ⁴² The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, ⁴⁴ and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.” (Acts 27:39–44 (ESV)

A shipwreck are the remains of a ship that has wrecked, which are found either beached on land or sunken to the bottom of a body of water. Shipwrecking may be deliberate or accidental.

It has been estimated that there are some 3 million shipwrecks spread across the earth’s ocean floors. There are over 6,000 shipwrecks in the North American Great Lakes, having caused an estimated loss of 30,000 mariners’ lives. It is also estimated that there are about 550 wrecks in Lake Superior alone, most of which are undiscovered.

Some shipwrecks are historically famous such as the sinking of the Titanic (April 14-15, 1912), and the freighter S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (November 10, 1975). Not only have books, feature films and documentaries been written and produced about shipwrecks, but also about the survivors of the same. From the dramatic to the comedic, stories about survivors of shipwrecks, otherwise known as castaways, abound. These include such titles as Cast Away, Gilligan’s Island, Swiss Family Robinson, Lost in Space, and Robinson Crusoe.

The Apostle Paul, Luke and others aboard the ill-fated cargo ship bound for Rome knew what it meant to be shipwrecked. Luke recorded in today’s text the circumstances leading to the destruction of their vessel. With the ship’s bow striking a reef and running aground, along with the breaking of the ship’s stern by the surf, the passengers abandoned ship and made for land. Some swam to shore, while others floated on wooden planks or other pieces of the ship. All 276 passengers and crew (Acts 27:37) made it safely to shore. This was one of three shipwrecks the Apostle Paul experienced (2 Corinthians 11:25).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Why did God allow His servant to suffer so, especially to bring him to an island where he would have gone willingly if asked? God’s ways are often mysterious, but Scripture assures us they are altogether righteous.”

Resolve today to not only praise God for His wisdom in your life, but also to trust Him throughout the circumstances of your life.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Five: Providence. Part 1.

1. God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold,^a direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,^b from the greatest even to the least,^c by his most wise and holy providence,^d according to his infallible fore-knowledge^e and the free and immutable counsel of his own will,^f to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.^g

a.  Heb 1:3. • b. Psa 135:6; Dan 4:34-35; Acts 17:25-26, 28; Job 38-41 throughout. • c. Mat 10:29-31. • d. Psa 104:24; 145:17; Prov 15:3. • e. Psa 94:8-11; Acts 15:18. • f. Psa 33:10-11; Eph 1:11. • g. Gen 45:7; Psa 145:7; Isa 63:14; Rom 9:17; Eph 3:10.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!

^33 “As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”  ³⁵ And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. ³⁷ (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) ³⁸ And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.” (Acts 27:33–38 (ESV)

While in the midst of surging seas, and debilitating despair felt by the crew and others, the Apostle Paul encouraged those around him to eat. The passengers and crew had not eaten anything for two full weeks. This was not only because of the violent storm, but probably also by the accompanying seasickness people were certainly to experience.

Paul prayed for the meal and everyone ate and were encouraged. Luke notes that there were 276 people on board. This indicates that the ship was an ocean going vessel and not a relatively smaller fishing boat one would find on the Sea of Galilee.

Following their meal, the people then threw the rest of the wheat cargo into the sea. This served to further lighten the ship so it would ride high on the surface of the water.

The phrase, “not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you,” was a common Jewish expression. In fact, Jesus used it when He explained to His disciples that they would encounter troubles as His disciples.

Luke 21:12-17 records Jesus, on the night prior to His crucifixion, saying to the disciples, “¹² But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ This will be your opportunity to bear witness. ¹⁴ Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

One author comments, “How do you explain this promise in light of all the trials Jesus predicts in this chapter. Among other things, he says that the leaders will lay hands on them; persecute them; deliver them up to synagogues and prisons; bring them before kings and governors; delivered up before parents, brothers, relatives and friends; be put to death; and, to top it all off, they will be hated by all for the name of Jesus (Luke 21:12-17). After all of that, Jesus then says, “But not a hair of your head will perish.” How could he say that? Did he not just say that some would die (v 16)? Is Jesus not contradicting everything he said? No, not at all. The life that is promised here is more than mere physical life.”

Whatever you may be facing, do not despair. Do your best, and trust God for the rest.

Soli deo Gloria!  

^27 “When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. ²⁸ So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. ²⁹ And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. ³⁰ And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.” (Acts 27:27–32 (ESV)

Imagine being on a ship at sea in the midst of a raging storm for two full weeks. What an ordeal. This was the case with those on this ship bound for Rome. One can sense that the people involved were hungry, sick, weak, and overwhelmed with despair because of their circumstances.

However, Paul was a rock of faith. This means that Paul trusted in, was committed to, dependent upon, and completely worshipful of the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith, trust, commitment, dependence and worship in the LORD did not change or alter his circumstances, or those with him, but provided him with great resilience and courage while in the midst of his circumstances. Additionally, Paul knew that God was in sovereign and providential control of his circumstances.

Luke’s first-hand account goes into great detail; as one would expect a first-hand account to be. Luke notes that the seasoned sailors on board began to sense that they were near land. Perhaps this was because they heard the waves breaking on the rocks near the shore.

As such, they began to take soundings, which was the means to determine the depth of the sea. The sailors observed that the water was becoming shallower. A fathom is approximately six feet. Therefore, the ship was encountering a water’s depth that decreased from 120ft to 90ft. However, this also meant that the ship might crash upon the nearby rocks. The sailors dropped four anchors from the stern, or rear, of the ship to keep it from drifting. Then the sailors prayed. I wonder if they prayed a variation of the classic Bretton fisherman’s prayer: “Dear God, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.”

Author Lynne Baab writes, “What component of your life feels like a wide sea: overwhelming, scary, hard to navigate, with storms that might arise any moment? Is it a health issue for you or someone you love? A relationship challenge? A job or financial issue? Something political? I love the power of the metaphor here, acknowledging that we often feel that our boat in the wide sea is just too small for safety. We need God’s help because on our own, some components of life are just too overwhelming. We need a sense of God’s enfolding, God’s arms holding us up, because some aspects of life are just too scary. We need God’s guidance because the sea looks the same in every direction.”

While the apostle rested in the unfolding arms of the Savior, some sailors decided to take matters into their own hands; regardless of who it hurt. Some attempted to drop the ship’s lifeboat and scurry to freedom and potential safety, leaving the others to their peril. Paul declared to the centurion and the soldiers, ““Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.”

I submit that the third stanza of John Rippon’s hymn, How Firm a Foundation, applies. Meditate upon it today.

When through the deep waters I call you to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless
And sanctify to you your deepest distress

Soli deo Gloria!   

^21 “Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. ²² Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. ²⁶ But we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:21–26 (ESV)

Remember when Paul counseled the centurion, the captain, and the ship’s owner not to set sail for Rome (Acts 27:9-11)? He said prior to the voyage that if they did set sail the journey would be one of injury and much loss; not only of cargo but also of human lives.

While the ship, crew and passengers were in the midst of a storm of hurricane proportions (Acts 27:13-20) and all hope was lost, Paul stood up among his fellow travelers and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.” More than saying “I told you so,” Paul sought to encourage the discouraged, to bring comfort where there was obvious despair, and to provide hope in place of hopelessness.

He continued by saying, “²² Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  ²⁵ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. ²⁶ But we must run aground on some island.”

The angel of God had communicated to Paul three pieces of information. First, Paul would reach Rome. Second, all those within the ship would survive the journey. Third, the ship must be run aground on some nearby island.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “With these words, Paul unreservedly identifies himself with the One, True God in the presence of polytheistic and superstitious sailors and criminals.”   

Paul remained confident that God was providentially working throughout life’s situations and circumstances. He trusted in the LORD. Do we?

Have a blessed day as you trust in the sovereign and providential LORD of heaven and earth.

Soli deo Gloria!

^13 “Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. ¹⁴ But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. ¹⁵ And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. ¹⁷ After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. ¹⁸ Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. ¹⁹ And 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 no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” (Acts 27:13–20 (ESV)

Dr. Joel Beeke writes, “Nothing is more practical than the doctrine of providence, for it engenders faith and godly fear.”

The providence of God is the active outworking of God’s sovereignty in everything we experience in this life: whether we be believers in Christ or unbelievers without Christ.  

Dr. Burk Parsons comments, “There are no good providences or bad providences, happy or hard providences, but simply providence.”

Through the life of the Apostle Paul, the providence of God is conspicuously evident. None more so than during Paul’s journey to the city of Rome, which Luke records in Acts 27-28.

As we continue our study, Paul and his companions set sail from the island of Crete. It was mid-autumn of the year and not the best time to be traveling upon the open sea of the Mediterranean. However, in spite of Paul’s warning that doing so was dangerous (Acts 27:9-10) the captain of the ship, along with the ship’s owner and the centurion, decided to weigh anchor and set sail for the Cretan port of Phoenix.

It wasn’t long before a tempestuous wind, called a northeaster struck the ship. While the captain attempted to say close to land, the ship was driven uncontrollably by the wind.

The word “tempestuous” refers to a whirlwind of hurricane force. In other words, a typhoon. Typhoons and hurricanes are a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation. The weakest tropical cyclones are called tropical depressions. If a depression intensifies such that its maximum sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour, the tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm.  Once a tropical cyclone reaches maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, it becomes either a hurricane or a typhoon.

Forgive me for the meteorological information, but it helps us to understand that what Paul and the others aboard the ship experienced was a horrendous storm. Wave height in such weather conditions can be 37-52 ft.

In today’s text, Luke described all the efforts done to make the ship less vulnerable to the unrelenting elements. The passengers used rope supports to undergird the ship in order to hold the ship’s wooden planks tight. This would help the ship resist the battering waves. They lowered the anchor to slow the ship. When this did not help, the ship’s cargo was thrown overboard in order to make the ship lighter and less prone to hit sand banks. Even the ship’s tackle, which included the main mast and sail, was jettisoned. Nothing helped.

The storm went on for days. Consequently, there was no sun or stars visible which would reveal the ship’s position. Luke stated, “All hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.”

What a scene. Perhaps you have experienced an actual hurricane, whether on land or at sea. Perhaps you have also encountered a storm of life. The storm could have been called cancer, a heart attack, COVID 19, or the death of a loved one. In such a storm of life, you may have been tempted to abandon all hope for God’s deliverance.

Please remember that even in the fiercest of storms, God is in sovereign control. He works all things for the purpose of accomplishing His will (Ephesians 1:11).

More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!  

^9 “Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, ¹⁰ saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” ¹¹ But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. ¹² And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.” (Acts 27:9–12 (ESV)

Docking at Fair Havens on the island of Crete for some time, Paul became concerned because of the lateness of the year. Luke remarked that even the Jewish Fast was over. This mention of the Fast refers the reader the Day of Atonement. It was the only annual Jewish festival which required fasting. It was then, and remains today, observed either in late September or up till mid-October. It was at this time of the year when weather on the Mediterranean became unpredictable and sea travel dangerous.

Remaining at Fair Havens for the winter was not advisable because its bays were open to the sea, which made ships vulnerable to the effects of upcoming winter storms. Consequently, it was dangerous to either stay or to sail.    

Regarding the matter of continuing the journey, Paul stated, ““Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” However, the advice from a prisoner was not viewed with much respect or consideration. Luke recorded that the centurion paid more attention to the captain and the owner of the ship than to the Apostle Paul.

Therefore, the majority opinion was to set sail for the Cretan Harbor called Phoenix. It was 40 miles to the west of Fair Havens. The captain’s intention was to sail for Phoenix and spend the winter there.

There are times in our lives when instead of action, it is best to be still and know that the LORD is God (Psalm 46:10) and to rest and wait upon Him. It is not always easy to do, but it is always the wisest thing to do.

More to come. Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!