Giving thanks in the middle of the storm … while the ship is sinking! That’s what Paul did. Acts 27 recounts the story of Paul, the prisoner, headed to Rome by ship to present his case before Caesar. The ship encountered all kinds of weather-related problems. They ended up in a huge storm, taking desperate measures to keep from sinking. Acts 27 gives one of the most detailed pictures of what sailors went through when in such danger in ancient times.
After not eating anything for weeks, Paul finally encouraged them to eat. While the ship is being beaten apart, Paul tells them that the ship will be lost, but all their lives will be saved if they just do what he says. God had promised him in a dream all the lives on the ship.
“Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. ‘You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,’ he said. ‘Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.’ Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.” [Acts 27:33-35 NLT]
Can you picture this scene in your mind? Waves crashing. Sea roaring. Ship groaning. Wind whipping all around them. Rocks pounding the hull. And Paul standing in their midst passing out bread and in a loud voice (I know it must have been a loud voice) giving thanks to His God.
Beloved, whether we are in the middle of a storm today, or peacefully resting in calm waters, we need to give thanks. There is POWER in thanksgiving.
