Unlikely Leaders

Paul’s Inspired Advice Rejected

The centurion finally asked Paul, who had won the respect of sailors and soldiers, for his opinion. Without hesitation the apostle advised remaining where they were. “I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives.” But “the owner of the ship” and the majority of passengers and crew were unwilling to accept this counsel. They “advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix ... and winter there.” ULe 161.7

The centurion decided to follow the judgment of the majority. “When the south wind blew softly, ... putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous headwind arose. ... The ship was caught, and could not head into the wind.” ULe 161.8

Driven by the storm, the ship neared the small island of Clauda, and the sailors prepared for the worst. The lifeboat, their only means of escape, was in tow and in danger of being smashed in pieces at any moment. Their first work was to hoist this boat on board. They took every possible precaution to prepare the ship to ride out the storm. The slight protection that the little island provided did not last long, and soon they were exposed to the full violence of the storm again. ULe 162.1

All night the storm raged, and the ship leaked. Night came again, but the wind did not die down. The storm-beaten ship, with shattered mast and torn sails, was tossed this way and that. It seemed that the groaning timbers must surely break as the ship quivered under the shock of the storm. The leak increased rapidly, and passengers and crew worked continually at the pumps. Writes Luke, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.” ULe 162.2

For fourteen days they drifted. Though the apostle was suffering physically, he had words of hope for the darkest hour and a helping hand in every emergency. By faith he grasped the arm of Infinite Power. He knew that God would preserve him to witness at Rome for the truth of Christ, but his heart longed for the poor souls around him, sinful and unprepared to die. He pleaded earnestly with God to spare their lives, and God granted his request. ULe 162.3