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Sketches from the Life of Paul
third day,” says Luke, “we cast out with our own hands the tackling
of the ship; and when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared,
and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was
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then taken away.” A gloomy apathy settled upon those three hundred
souls, as for fourteen days they drifted, helpless and hopeless, under a
sunless and starless heaven. They had no means of cooking; no fire
could be lighted, the utensils had been washed overboard, and most of
the provisions were water-soaked and spoiled. In fact while their good
ship was wrestling with the tempest, and the waves talked with death,
no one desired food.
In the midst of that terrible scene, the apostle retained his calmness
and courage. Notwithstanding he was physically the greatest sufferer
of them all, he had words of hope for the darkest hour, a helping
hand in every emergency. In this time of trial, he grasped by faith
the arm of infinite power, his heart was stayed upon God, and amid
the surrounding gloom his courage and nobility of soul shone forth
with the brightest luster. While all around were looking only for swift
destruction, this man of God, in the serenity of a blameless conscience,
was pouring forth his earnest supplications in their behalf.
Paul had no fears for himself; he felt assured that he would not be
swallowed up by the hungry waters. God would preserve his life, that
he might witness for the truth at Rome. But his human heart yearned
with pity for the poor souls around him. Sinful and degraded as they
were, they were unprepared to die, and he earnestly pleaded with God
to spare their lives. It was revealed to him that his prayer was granted.
When there was a lull in the tempest, so that his voice could be heard,
he stood forth on the deck and said:—
“Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
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Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to
be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among
you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God,
whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be
brought before Caesar; and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail
with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that
it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a
certain island.”
At these words hope revived. Passengers and crew roused from
their apathy, and put forth all possible exertion to save their lives.