Scripture:
Acts 27:9-12 NKJV
[9] Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, [10] saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” [11] Nevertheless, the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. [12] And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
Observation:
Paul was called to be an apostle, but his missionary trips had landed him a ticket to the courtroom in Rome. Paul and several other prisoners had been placed in the hands of a centurion named Julius, who thought he had the final say as to how things were going to happen. As they were preparing to set sail, Paul was given the gift of discernment from the Holy Spirit. They had drug their feet and wasted a lot of time to the point that travel had become dangerous. Winter was starting to set in, and the port they had been brought to was not suitable to accommodate their needs, according to Julius. Standing there discussing whether or not to press on. Paul decided to speak up, “Men, I have perceived that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship but also our lives.” Setting Paul’s suggestions aside… due to the persuasion from the man at the helm of the ship… Julius makes the executive decision to press on despite the warning from Paul. If you read on in the chapter which I encourage you to do. You will see that Paul was visited by an angel in the night as the tempest grew stronger. The angel assured Paul that the ship would be lost, but lives would be spared. Paul had to stand trial. His testimony was powerful and needed to be heard by Nero. It was a key to the gospel reaching all points of the earth… not to mention the Roman empire. GOD’S’ purpose will always prevail. However, it seems that if Julius would have listened to Paul in the first place and humbled his standards, the loss that happened would not have taken place at all.
Application:
Who do you want to be in the story? Most of us like to think that we are Paul. Including myself. But to tell the truth, a lot of us are Julius but just don’t want to admit it. We get in a hurry and want to press on, but when we do, loss is inevitable. Taking the time to listen to those who want to do the same thing but use wisdom in doing it makes more sense. However, our pride can get in the way we can make the wrong move. Listening to what others have to say can keep us from making a major mistake. This leads me to a question. Are you so full of yourself and reaching a certain point that you press through the warning signs? Has GOD given someone next to you a message of discernment that could keep you from loss, but you are so motivated to get to your destination that you won’t listen? I’m asking because I have been at that point. I want you to put yourself in the position of Julius he had a job to do, and the emperor Nero expected it to be done I’m a timely manner. I’m sure he wanted Nero to be proud of him. Maybe a promotion would be involved… who knows, maybe the captain of the guard would be his future title. There is no telling the possibility. All I have to do is get this ship to Rome with these men alive. We all want to be successful or, well, I do anyway, and I assume you have the same drive. But GOD pits warning signs in our path for a reason. We need to listen. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the flop. Great ideas, going bad because I didn’t take the time to do them right or stop and correct what was wrong with them. My desire in life today is to do things right. Even if it takes a little longer. Not just for myself but for others as well. There are more people on this ship than just me, and I need to consider that. The destination will be reached, but how much damage do you want to sustain in the process. My encouragement to you today is to slow down… listen to the warning signs… don’t get in a hurry… GOD will get you where HE wants you, but it’s on HIS time. HE is a GOD of promise. What HE said will happen. The amount of loss in the process is totally up to you. Don’t be so proud that you make a wrong decision. Listen to the discernment of others. You might get there a little later than you wanted to, but the ship won’t have to be replaced or the cargo lost. It’s not a race it’s a marathon.
Prayer:
Father, we want to thank you for those whom you have placed around us. Those who want to do things right. We know that you want us to use wisdom, and you tell us to ask for it… so right now, we ask that you would give us the wisdom to do things the way you would have us do. We know that we get our own agenda in the way of what you are doing, and we apologize for that. Help us to be what you have called us to be. We want to please you. We want the things you have told us to do to be done in a manner that brings you glory. We never want to be in such a hurry that we turn out something that is not done correctly. Your purpose will always prevail. However, we do not want the damage that comes from doing it our way. Let us slow down and correct our course to keep us on the right path. We don’t want to get so caught up in us that we forget who you are. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.