Daily Devotional Thursday 25th June 2020
by William Moody
Acts 27:33–38
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,1 for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 2762 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Footnotes
[1] 27:34
Or For it is for your deliverance
[2] 27:37Some manuscripts seventy-six, or about seventy-six (ESV)
In difficult situations in life, there is often the need for common sense and to take the right steps to look after our bodies, as Paul encouraged the people on board the ship to do (v33-34).
We are made up of body, mind and soul and each area impacts on the other far more than we realise. If we are going to serve the Lord faithfully we need to look after our bodies with healthy food, good exercise and the right rest. But we also need to realise that to look after our bodies we need to be right spiritually and we see here Paul wonderfully combining the two as he prays and eats (v35).
Luke makes it very clear that Paul here prayed in front of everyone (v35-36). In this crisis Paul’s faith was shining brightly and showing these pagan sailors and soldiers where true hope is to be found.
In the darkest of days we have the greatest opportunity to shine brightest for Christ. In days of trial do you have the confidence that Paul had of God’s control and love for you? This confidence comes as a result of Paul having spent much time with the Lord. Talk to God about this!
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