What To Do in a Wreck

In hard times, my prayer and inspiration is to be like Paul. Although Paul was in a literal wreck, he was not a wreck at all. In the face of imminent danger, Paul’s faith in God shines.

Read Acts 27

Paul Is Sent to Rome

1 Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to turn Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan cohort, named Julius.

2 And we boarded an Adramyttian ship that was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, and put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.

3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.

4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.

6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it.

7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone;

8 and after sailing along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

Paul Gives a Warning

9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul started admonishing them,

10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”

11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.

12 The harbor was not suitable for wintering, so the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

Storm at Sea

13 When a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, closer to shore.

14 But before very long, a violent wind, called Euraquilo, rushed down from the land;

15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not head into the wind, we gave up and let it be driven along.

16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Cauda, we were able to get the ship’s boat under control only with difficulty.

17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along in this way.

18 The next day as we were being violently tossed by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo;

19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

Paul Stands Strong in the Storm

21 When many had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice and not have set sail from Crete, and thereby spared yourselves this damage and loss.

22 And yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong, whom I also serve, came to me,

24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has graciously granted you all those who are sailing with you.’

25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.

26 But we must run aground on a certain island.”

Shipwreck

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that they were approaching some land.

28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms, and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms.

29 And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak.

30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow,

31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.”

32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it drift away.

33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul kept encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have constantly been watching and going without eating, having taken nothing.

34 Therefore, I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your survival, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.”

35 Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all, and he broke it and began to eat.

36 All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food.

37 We were 276 people on the ship in all.

38 When they had eaten enough, they began lightening the ship by throwing the wheat out into the sea.

The Ship Runs Aground

39 Now when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did notice a bay with a beach, and they resolved to run the ship ashore if they could.

40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach.

41 But they struck a reef where two seas met, and ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up due to the force of the waves.

42 Now the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape;

43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and gave orders that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get to land,

44 and the rest were to follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.

What Does Paul Do in his Wreck?

Trusts God Boldly

God told Paul that he would testify before Caesar, so Paul took that as fact. He did not doubt God’s plan of bringing the Good News even to kings. He believed God would do what He said He would do.

“Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.” Acts 27:25 NASB

He not only trusted God to be true to His Word, but he did so boldly. Paul didn't hesitate to communicate to his superiors what the Lord had revealed to him (vv. 10, 21–26, 31–34). He even took leadership when necessary—despite being a prisoner.

Encourages and Cares Compassionately

Paul literally tells them to “keep up their courage” (vv. 22, 25). He desires for others’ lives to be spared and warns the centurion and soldiers (v. 31). He looks out for his shipmates’ wellbeing by pointing out their need for food:

“Therefore, I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your survival, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” Acts 27:34 NASB

The Bible says Paul encouraged them all (v. 33), and as a result, “they all were encouraged and took food themselves” (v. 36 NASB).

Remembers to Be Grateful to God

Before they ate, Paul broke bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all (v. 35). In desperate times, he didn’t just praise God—he did it boldly and publicly. May we do the same!

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Paul’s Influence on the Centurion

We don’t know the full spiritual condition of the centurion, but we see a clear transformation in how he viewed Paul. At first, he ignored Paul’s advice (v. 11). Later, he began to listen and follow his instructions (v. 32). Toward the end of the chapter, the centurion even risked his position and safety to protect Paul.

“But the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention...” Acts 27:43 NASB

It is evident that Paul had made an impact on him in those challenging weeks!

I once heard a pastor say it’s on the mountaintops where Christians may feel God’s presence the most, but it is in the valleys where believers make the most impact. The valleys are where the rest of the world lives in darkness—and where we are called to shine.

When life is easy, bliss comes easily. When life is hard, the hope of Christ becomes unmistakably set apart. In the test of fire, there is a difference between those who trust in eternity and those who are tied to temporary things. Every challenging circumstance is an opportunity for believers to trust in God and act in ways contrary to the rest of the world. In doing so, we might help bring people out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.

There are so many ways this passage could’ve been explored, but I hope this post keeps things simple and clear. As gold is refined in fire, so we are tested and strengthened in our trials.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith... may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB

Lord,

First, I pray for anyone reading this to know the everlasting hope You’ve given to all who trust in You as Lord. May our trust in You overflow in bold compassion and gratitude, even in hardship. May Christians all around the world reflect Your goodness as lights in the darkness. Let our lives leave a lasting impact—so much so that others desire to know the One who is both Creator and Provider.

Amen.