As the ship Paul was aboard continues on its journey, the gentle wind is replaced with a wind of hurricane force (v13-14). There were many difficult days and nights which would have worn the men down and they also had gone without food over this time (v15-20).

Paul then speaks to a very demoralised crew to give hope. He begins with chastisement for neglecting previous advice (v21). In difficult days often hope only comes when people face up to their previous faults.

Paul then gives hope for the future from the message the Lord shared with him (v22-26). Here we see how believers are to bring hope into this chaotic world, by sharing what God has shared from His Word with us. What the people around you need from you, is to know you as someone who is receiving God’s word into your heart, guiding and encouraging you, and then sharing that truth to them.

We see here how that it is often in the most difficult of situations for His people that God draws closest to them. There are echoes here of Paul’s time in Corinth (Acts 18 v9-10). God’s children must realise that trials never mean that God’s love and care for them has diminished.