Project 119: Acts 27:1-12
| Project 119 | Amy Hirsch
“Only when it’s dark enough can you see the stars.” Historians aren’t sure of the origins of this popular proverb (although it likely originated from Thomas Carlyle), but it was used by Martin Luther King, Jr. in his final speech before his death (“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”). King used the quote to explain how he had seen the Lord working even in difficult and dire circumstances. And, after reading Acts 27:1-12, I think Paul would have to agree with the proverb’s sentiment.
We’ve finally entered into some action in the book of Acts; Paul has left Caesarea by ship, on his way to Rome to appear before Caesar, under the supervision of a centurion named Julius. The journey can be a bit confusing with all of the ports and cities, but take a look at the map below and trace Paul’s route. One thing that the text points out to us is that the weather was less than fair. In fact, most people avoided traveling in the winter because the Mediterranean Sea conditions were so poor.
Put yourself in the shoes of Paul for a moment. You’ve been arrested against your will, held by the Romans (who can’t seem to find a reason to charge you with anything, but want to appease the bloodthirsty Jews), and now you’re put on a boat to travel to Rome. You’ve been wanting to go to Rome to share the gospel, but instead you’re on your way to appear to Caesar. The weather is terrible, and there’s even risk of the ship sinking—and when you mention this, no one seems to care (Acts 27:11).
Things aren’t good, of course. But in the darkness of the situation, in the fear and despair that Paul might have wrestled with, he also saw the kindness of God in several ways. First, Paul didn’t have to journey alone; the pronoun “we” in Acts 27:1 suggests that Luke was allowed to go with Paul, along with Aristarchus. Paul had the opportunity to travel with fellow believers. Second, we even see that the Roman centurion showed him favor and treated him kindly, allowing him to visit other friends when they had stopped at the port in Sidon, who cared for him. The presence of these dear companions likely reminded him of the presence of the Lord, who promises to never leave and never forsake those He loves.
Paul saw God’s mercy, even in his trials. It seems like an oxymoron, but in the darkness, we really are able to see the stars most clearly. In tribulation, in the darkness of despair, God’s love shines brightly and we can see His kindness and His goodness, even in the most desperate of times. I don’t know where you are today, but I am praying that, in the ebbs and flows of life, in the days of sunshine and in the days of storms, you would be able to look up and see the goodness of God.
Acts 27:1-12 (ESV):
And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
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.