‘A Saving Shield’; has God connected you with someone to protect and help you through a difficult phase of your life’s journey? They may not even know God, but still help you.
27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
Paul, God’s apostle and now a prisoner, was headed for Rome, in the company of another Roman centurion. Julius, named in scripture, would accompany Paul through a major storm and help save his life.
The journey began well enough, but the season was changing and the time for sailing in the Mediterranean was becoming dangerous. How often we begin confidently, but then circumstances change and life is not so favourable.
9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, 10 ‘Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.’ 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Acts 27
The ship’s owner and captain didn’t heed Paul’s warning, no doubt they thought they knew better, but disaster lay ahead because of their rash decision. The ship was ‘battered’ (Life can feel like that at times) by a severe storm, but Paul gave them hope (so important in a storm) after a visit from an angel of God.
22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” 25 So keep up your courage, men, FOR I HAVE FAITH IN GOD THAT IT WILL HAPPEN JUST AS HE TOLD ME.
The angel had revealed God’s will for the ship’s company caught in the storm, but they could still have been lost only for the intervention of the centurion.
30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.’ 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.
Then when the ship was stuck on the sandbank, the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners.
42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan.
The centurion protected Paul in the storm and spared his life. God sent another Roman soldier to defend his servant and ensure that His purposes for Paul would be fulfilled.
God can send someone to help you in your storm, take time to ask Him today and expect your answer. The prayers of intercessors can also act as a Shield when opposition is fierce.
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