Anchored in the Storm
When you face crashing waves, it reveals what’s really inside you.
We are going to see the Apostle Paul face a storm today. What do you do when a storm comes? Do you collapse under the pressure? Or do you stand firm? Think of a tree. Storms take them out all the time. There are many that stand firm, though. Why do they? Because their roots go deep. That’s what we’re going to see with Paul today. And hopefully the same can be said of you.
Christian friends are essential for our Christian walk. (1-5)
As Paul begins his journey to Rome in verses 1-5, we see the importance of Christian friendship. He’s been on a long, difficult journey, but he has never journeyed alone. From the very beginning, when Barnabas first brought him to the apostles, Paul has had friends accompany him. With three missionary journeys under his belt, he is now heading to his final destination, Rome. Both the journey and the destination will be challenging.
But, again, Paul is not alone. He’s accompanied by Aristarchus and Luke. These aren’t just travel companions; they’re spiritual lifelines, embodying the essence of Christian fellowship. “Later, when Paul writes to the Colossians from the Roman prison, he mentions the presence of both Luke and Aristarchus (Col 4:10, 14).”[1]
Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, had been a close companion of Paul, facing danger alongside him during the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) and traveling with him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). Paul describes him as a “fellow prisoner” (Col 4:10), and in Philemon (another prison letter) he calls him his coworker (Philemon 1:24).
Luke, the beloved physician and meticulous historian, had joined Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:10) and remained with him through thick and thin, as evidenced by his detailed accounts in the Book of Acts. You can tell when Luke is accompanying Paul, because he will start writing in first person, which this account is from. Notice the many times he says “we” and “us” in this passage. Luke is a close friend to Paul and is with him no matter what he is going through.
Y’all, life is tough. And our Christian walk is no exception. What we see amidst this difficult journey for Paul highlights the necessity of having solid, faith-filled friends. Aristarchus and Luke weren’t just there for a vacation cruise; they were there to encourage, support, and strengthen Paul during one of his most challenging journeys.
Julius, the centurion, allows Paul a visit to friends in Sidon when they stop there (3). It’s more than a pit stop for Pau, though; these friends likely filled him up with resources for their journey. These friends didn’t just offer a meal or a place to rest; they provided the tangible love and care of the Christian community. These were friends through the blood of Christ.
Think about your own life. Who are your Aristarchus and Luke? God didn’t design us to walk this journey alone. We need each other. The early church was all about community—breaking bread together, praying together, and yes, enduring storms together. Paul’s friends in Sidon exemplify what it means to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). They embody the call to be there for one another in practical, meaningful ways.
Christian friendship is gift from God. Jesus called His disciples friends, emphasizing the depth of our relationship in Him (John 15:13-15). Christian friendship isn’t casual acquaintance; it’s a deep, abiding connection from the heart of Christ. In a world that often feels isolating, Christian friendships are a crucial lifeline, reminding us we are part of a larger family
Cherish these relationships. Invest in them. True Christian friends walk alongside us, offering strength, encouragement, and practical help, just as Paul experienced. They are God’s instruments to help us stay anchored in our faith, especially during the challenging storms of life. Would we be the kind of friend that Paul had. All of us would be stronger.
The best picture we see of this is in the last book of Lord of the Rings. The best friend ever created in fiction is Frodo’s friend Samwise Gamgee. From when they left the Shire to their arrival at Mount Doom to destroy the ring, they travelled around 1,350 miles, often in danger and Frodo carried an immense burden bearing the ring. They were almost at their destination, but Frodo couldn’t go on any further. A good friend would carry the ring for him, wouldn’t they? They would take away that burden, right? No. That burden was Frodo’s to bear. But hear what Sam says to Frodo when he tells him he can’t carry the ring for him.
“I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you."
He then proceeds to carry Frodo up the mountain. Now, that the friends we need, and that’s the friend we need to be. Though Paul had a pit stop and some friend time, they had to continue on their journey, and it wasn’t going to be easy.
Trust in God’s guidance amidst difficulty and disagreement. (6-12)
As the journey continues from Myra to Malta, Paul and his friends face many challenges, and it illustrates the tension between God’s guidance and human wisdom. Paul, who was personally experienced in travel and shipwrecks, warns against continuing the voyage, telling them disaster awaits. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks before this journey (2 Corinthians 11:25). But the majority, trusting the ship’s pilot and owner, decide to proceed, seeking a better harbor for the winter.
Here’s where we can find ourselves in life, especially when we’re seeking to follow Christ: we often find ourselves in situations where God’s guidance clashes with popular opinion. Paul’s advice was based on both personal and divine insight, yet it was dismissed in favor of majority opinion. The majority’s decision ends up leading to a severe storm, which ends up validating Paul’s warning. This teaches us an important lesson: God’s guidance, though sometimes counterintuitive, is always reliable. Trusting in God’s wisdom means holding firm to His direction, even when it contradicts others.
This passage shows us the consequences of ignoring God’s guidance. The severe storm and subsequent shipwreck could have been avoided had Paul’s advice been heeded. They lost the ship and the cargo, but no lives were lost. This reminds us that disregarding God’s direction often leads to unnecessary hardship. However, God’s sovereignty is evident even in these circumstances, as His purposes ultimately prevail. Later, Julius learns from this mistake and listens to Paul (31).
Paul’s experience teaches us that God’s plans, though sometimes leading through storms, ultimately bring us to safe harbors. Trust in His guidance, knowing that His way is always best, even if you are led into storms.
Here's a baseball analogy to drive this home (pun intended). Hit the ball where it is pitched. Many young players just swing the bat and hope the ball hits in. For them to hit it, the ball has to be thrown right where they swing. That’s not how you hit a ball, though. You hit it where it is pitched. And the best hitters hit it where it is pitched, meaning if it’s outside, they drive the ball to that side of the field. If it’s inside, they turn on it. They hit it with more power then, because they hit the ball where it is pitched. That’s how we are to live our lives trusting in God’s guidance.
Trust in God’s guidance amidst storms. (13-20)
Verses 13-20 bring us to the heart of the storm. The initial calm deceives the crew into thinking the journey will be smooth, but soon a violent tempest, described as a “northeaster,” hits, leaving the ship and its passengers at the mercy of the wind and the waves. That’s just like life. Life is full of storms, unexpected and overwhelming. They come out of nowhere. The crew’s initial confidence is shattered as they struggle to control the ship, eventually surrendering to the storm. This loss of control mirrors our own experiences when life spirals beyond our grasp.
The phrase "all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned" captures the desperation they had (20). The crew had to throw cargo overboard in a desperate attempt to lighten the ship (Acts 27:18). This scene heavily reminds us of Jonah. In Jonah’s story, the crew was in danger because of Jonah's disobedience (Jonah 1:12-15). Here, the crew is safe because of Paul’s presence and faithfulness. God’s plan always prevails, even if it’s through a storm.
Paul’s calm demeanor during the storm contrasts sharply with the crew’s panic. His assurance doesn’t come from the ship’s condition or the crew’s expertise but from God’s promise. Paul had received a word from God that he would stand before Caesar and that all aboard would be spared. This divine assurance transforms his outlook even while he was amidst the storm. Trusting God amidst storms involves acknowledging His sovereignty and providence. The storm, though destructive, is within God’s control, and His purposes prevail despite the chaos.
Because of God’s promises, there is no need to fear. (21-38)
After many days of battling the storm, the crew and passengers are in despair, having given up hope of survival. At this important moment, Paul stands to deliver a message of hope and assurance, based on the revelation he received from God. Paul begins by reminding the crew of his earlier warning, not to say, “I told you so,” but to establish his credibility and encourage them to heed his words. He shares God’s message that an angel of God assured him that he would stand trial before Caesar and that all on board would be spared (23). This promise from God transforms the atmosphere on the ship. Paul’s confidence in God’s word shifts the focus from the storm to the certainty of God’s protection and plan.
The power of God’s promises is evident in the change of attitude among the crew and passengers. They move from despair to a renewed sense of hope and purpose. They feast! Paul’s faith in God’s word provides a foundation for this shift. He encourages them to eat and regain their strength, affirming that not a single life will be lost, only the ship. You know how hard it is to eat when you are in distress. They eat, then in confidence of God’s promise, throw the rest of the food overboard.
This also shows us the coexistence of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. God’s promise of safety didn’t negate the responsibility for the people to take action, such as eating to regain strength and not jumping ship. They were to trust God’s sovereignty that He will do what He says, but they also were responsible to follow how He leads.
For us, this passage reminds us that God’s promises are sure and provide a solid foundation amidst life’s storms. Fear often arises from focusing on our limitations and the magnitude of our challenges. However, by focusing on God’s promises, we find courage and direction. Paul’s unwavering trust in God’s Word, despite the severe storm, teaches us to hold fast to God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. We can and should follow wherever and however He leads.
God’s way is our only way to arrive safely ashore. (39-44)
At dawn, the crew spots land and decides to run the ship aground on a sandy beach. Despite their efforts, the ship strikes a sandbar, and the stern begins to break apart under the pounding of the waves. Paul’s earlier assurances are now put to the ultimate test. The soldiers’ initial reaction to kill the prisoners to prevent any from escaping underscores the harsh realities and fears of ancient ship practices. Roman soldiers were accountable for their prisoners and could face execution themselves if any escaped. However, Julius, the centurion, intervenes to save Paul, reflecting the respect and trust he has developed for him throughout the journey. This act of mercy by Julius not only spares the prisoners but also aligns with God’s promise that everyone on the ship would survive.
Paul’s influence and God’s guidance become evident as he directs everyone to either swim or use debris from the ship to reach the shore. The passage concludes with the assurance that “everyone reached land safely” (44). God’s way is the only way to arrive safely ashore, both literally for Paul and his companions and metaphorically for believers both for eternity and in navigating life’s storms.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Just as Paul guided his companions to safety through God’s instructions, Jesus guides us to eternal safety through His sacrifice. We can try many different paths to find peace and fulfillment, but only God’s way, through Jesus, leads to true salvation and safety.
All of this reminds me of the conversion of John Newton. He grew up on ships and on the sea because his dad was a sea captain. He even oversaw a slave ship (which he would later fight against the slave trade). Newton was on a voyage home on the Atlantic when he was caught in a storm and thought he was going to die. He cried out for God’s mercy.
“‘That 10th of March’, says Newton, “is a day much to be remembered by me; and I have never allowed it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748. For on that day the Lord came from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.”
The storm was terrific: when the ship went plunging down into the trough of the sea few on board expected her to come up again. The hold was rapidly filling with water. As Newton hurried to his place at the pumps he said to the captain, “If this will not do, the Lord have mercy upon us!” His own words startled him. “Mercy!” he said to himself in astonishment, “Mercy! Mercy! What mercy can there be for me? This was the first desire I had breathed for mercy for many years!” About six in the evening the hold was free from water, and then came a gleam of hope. “I thought I saw the hand of God displayed in our favour. I began to pray. I could not utter the prayer of faith. I could not draw near to a reconciled God and call him Father. My prayer for mercy was like the cry of the ravens, which yet the Lord does not disdain to hear.’”[2]
Newton gave his life to Christ and eventually wrote these words:
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see…Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
And it’s the same for you. Will you trust God today?
[1] Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Acts, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2017), 382.
[2] https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2001/john-newtons-conversion/
