From Trials to Triumph

Paul's Inspired Advice Rejected

This question was finally referred by the centurion to Paul, who had won the respect of sailors and soldiers. The apostle unhesitatingly advised remaining where they were. “I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the 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 put to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, ... and winter there.” TT 233.2

The centurion decided to follow the judgment of the majority. “When the south wind blew gently, ... they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore. But soon a tempestuous wind ... struck down from the land.” “The ship was caught and could not face the wind.” TT 233.3

Driven by the tempest, the vessel neared the small island of Clauda, and the sailors made ready for the worst. The lifeboat, their only means of escape, was in tow and liable to be dashed in pieces any moment. Their first work was to hoist this boat on board. All possible precautions were taken to prepare the ship to withstand the tempest. The scant protection afforded by the little island did not avail long, and soon they were again exposed to the full violence of the storm. TT 233.4

All night the tempest raged. The vessel leaked. Night came again, but the wind did not abate. The storm-beaten ship, with shattered mast and rent sails, was tossed hither and thither. It seemed that the groaning timbers must give way as the vessel quivered under the tempest's shock. The leak increased rapidly, and passengers and crew worked continually at the pumps. Writes Luke, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many a day, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” TT 233.5

For fourteen days they drifted. The apostle, though himself suffering physically, had words of hope for the darkest hour, a helping hand in every emergency. He grasped by faith the arm of Infinite Power. He knew that God would preserve him to witness at Rome for the truth of Christ, but his heart yearned for the poor souls around him, sinful and unprepared to die. He earnestly pleaded with God to spare their lives, and his prayer was granted. TT 234.1