Who Saved Them?

Today’s reading is Acts 27.

The crew and passengers of the Alexandrian ship had done all they could do in the midst of the storm. They had abandoned all hope of salvation from storm and shipwreck. Then Paul let them know God would save them. However, when the ship was breaking up, those who could swim jumped overboard and made for land. The rest grabbed planks and pieces of the ship. By these means, all were brought safely to land. When they got to land Paul commended everyone for their swimming efforts and ability to choose good flotsam and jetsam. Of course, you know that isn’t true. This was not a time to brag about their swimming and floating prowess, this was a time to thank God for saving them. And that is exactly how the gospel and salvation works. After we have done all we can, we eventually come to realize there is nothing we can do. All hope of saving ourselves is to be abandoned. God must save us. But we must swim and grab pieces of the ship. However, when we are saved, having exerted our efforts in swimming and hanging on to whatever we hang on to, we don’t brag about our efforts, we praise God for His salvation. These men didn’t earn rescue, God gave it to them. The same is true for us. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Acts 28.