THE VALUE OF SAILING WITH A GODLY MAN

My mother used to quote the old saying: “You are a product of the books you read and the company you keep.” Mom was almost always right.

EXHIBIT A

Look at the men who traveled with Paul, headed to Rome in Acts 27. Paul was a prisoner, but he advised the men on his ship not to proceed, but to winter their ship in a certain harbor. They ignored his counsel and went right into a storm that nearly cost them their lives.

In the middle of the deadly squall, when they had lost all hope, Paul stood and changed the whole equation with his God-initiated words:

You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ So, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. (Acts 27:21-25)

Paul was right, of course, for he was the only one on board who had counsel from God Himself, the One who holds the storm in His hands. Notice what the men around Paul received, just by being with him.

·       Wise counsel. Wise because it was from God, and which they finally followed to their benefit.

·       Gracious protection. Because God had an agenda for Paul’s witness before Caesar and they were necessarily included in the process.

·       Courageous faith. While they may not have had faith in God, Paul did. And his faith led the way to a good conclusion.

Who are you sailing with today? It could make all the difference.