They escaped all safe to land

Faith trusts despite the storm. The fourteenth night had come and still there was no prospect of salvation. Yet, whilst it is clear that the others on board did not have the confidence that Paul had he continued to rest upon the promise of God. We notice the cowardly actions of the shipmen who sought to escape by stealth, leaving the rest to perish without their expertise. We are not surprised, for it is the way of the flesh to act in self-preservation. However, their actions cannot escape the all-seeing eye of God; their presence on board was necessary to secure the safety of the rest.

Despite Paul’s earlier reassurance, those on board had not eaten for fourteen days. He now shows them publicly that his faith is not just theoretical: by eating in front of them, and encouraging them to do the same. Note how he also gives thanks publicly. What do we do in trying circumstances? Does anxiety consume us or are we able to rest in the One who holds us in His almighty hand? Do we, as Paul, ‘in every thing give thanks’, 1 Thess. 5. 18? Is it clear to all that our confidence is in God?

The reason why the shipmen had to remain on board is now made manifest: there were a number of procedures that had to be carried out that only they would have known how to do. Again we see the overriding wisdom and control of God, who organizes events and people in accordance with His purpose.

The next potential problem that arises to prevent the fulfilment of this purpose is the counsel of the soldiers to kill the prisoners. Yet here the centurion steps in, ‘willing to save Paul’, Acts 27. 43. And so the divine promise is kept: all 276 souls reach land safely, an evidence of divine grace and miraculous preservation! Even those who could not swim reached land safely. How these events must have spoken to all involved!

We may note that all were saved because of one man. To Paul it was said, ‘God hath given thee all them that sail with thee’, v. 24. Does this mean that all were eventually saved in a spiritual, as well as a physical sense? It may well do - they would certainly have been without excuse! Did initial failure to listen, though causing trial, actually result in greater blessing?