In the last issue, we saw how God warned Paul about the storm that would hit the ship in which he was being taken as a prisoner. Paul in turn warned everyone aboard, in particular the army officer. But the army officer was convinced by what the captain and the owner of the ship said, and not by what Paul said. (Acts 27:11).
The army officer had listened to both sides – on the one hand to Paul and on the other hand, to the captain and the owner of the ship. He did not reject Paul’s advice outright. He did sense some level of truth in it. But we need to understand why he found the advice of the captain and the owner of the ship more convincing. First of all, there was no immediate threat of a storm. Secondly, it seemed more sensible to go by the advice coming from experienced men rather than going by a prisoner who claimed to have received a message from God. But we must understand with the help of the Holy Spirit that there was another influencing factor that far outweighed the first two – it is concerning the desires of the flesh that were at work in him. He was looking forward to some enjoyment at the harbour named ‘Phoenix’. And so he went by his plans. Therefore, the main problem why he failed to go by the advice that came from a man of God was not because of any external influences – rather it was because of what came from within him. As Jesus once said, “All these evil things come from inside you and make you unclean." (Mark 7: 23).
Therefore we need to be aware of the hidden desires within us, especially in these troubled times that we are living. While the situation is getting bad in some countries due to unprecedented floods, earthquakes, and now even wars and respiratory illnesses, our attitude could be like that of the army officer. We are not directly affected by any major calamities. Besides, we are surrounded mostly by people who don’t really believe in any warnings coming from heaven. But what could really prevent us from taking these warnings seriously are the selfish desires hidden within us. Such desires lead us to devise our own plans – a business project, studying or settling abroad, beautification of the house, etc. And we become so preoccupied with trying to fulfill those plans that we don’t think about the storm that is about to come. That is exactly what happened at the time of Noah and Lot… Everybody kept on eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. (Luke 17:27, 28).
History has shown that God's plans are executed at the right time. God had foretold through Paul about four things: 1) the voyage getting dangerous, 2) great damage to the cargo 3) great damage to the ship, and 4) loss of life. Everything began happening one by one. First, the storm came all of a sudden and hit the ship; the sailors lost all control over it (Acts 27:14). Next, the storm became so violent that they had to throw some of the ship's cargo overboard. (Acts 27:18). After that, they had to throw part of the ship's equipment overboard. (Acts 27:19). And then the final part was almost coming to fulfillment - the loss of lives. The situation became so bad that everyone gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20).
Thanks be to God, there were Paul and his companions on the ship who prayed earnestly to God. In fact, Jesus advises us to do the same in these troubled times… Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen... (Luke 21:36). And as Paul was praying inside the ship, an angel appeared to him and said… 'Don't be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Emperor. And God in His goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you.' (Acts 27:24). Just as God had a plan for Paul, in the same way, He has a plan for all His servants, who will be taken safely through the times of tribulation. They will be used mightily by Him during the Era of Peace that will follow after the tribulations.
Having been encouraged by the angel, Paul in turn encouraged everyone on board. From this time on, we see a change coming over not only the army officer but over his soldiers as well. They start believing in whatever Paul tells them. On one occasion, the sailors attempted to escape quietly from the ship. But Paul said to the army officer and soldiers, "If the sailors don't stay on board, you have no hope of being saved." So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the boat and let it go. (Acts 27:31-32). This is the kind of change that must come over us as well. If at one time we have been unbelieving because of our own selfish desires, then at least now after seeing the prophecies getting fulfilled one by one, we must repent and take the warnings from heaven seriously.
The men had become so fearful of death that they lost all appetite for food. They had not eaten for days together. Think about it, dear friends. When the tribulation gets worse, people will not want to even look at food; because they will be filled with such fear as a result of looking at the things happening around them. (Luke 21:26). Paul did two things: 1) He gave them the assurance through the Word of God that they would be saved. (Acts 27:34) and 2) He gave them the Body of Christ. (Acts 27:35). In other words, Paul celebrated the Eucharist. Only after having the spiritual food, they took courage, and every one of them also ate some food. (Acts 27:36). In this way, even the sailors, who in the beginning had no regard for God, started to believe. And finally, everyone made it to shore.
Dear friends, God wants all of us to make it to shore. He wants us to sail safely through the times of tribulations and enter into the era of peace. This is possible only if we keep praying earnestly, strengthen our faith by means of the Word of God, be united to Christ through the Eucharist, and fight our sinful nature by the power of the Holy Spirit.