Acts 27

Trusting God in the Storm: Lessons from Acts 27

Reading Acts 27 together today stirred something deep in us. This chapter is packed with action—storms, shipwrecks, and unexpected twists—and yet, strikingly, God is rarely mentioned by name. At first glance, it almost feels like reading Esther or Ruth, where divine action is hidden beneath the surface. But as we slowed down and really paid attention, the Lord had something powerful to say through the details of Paul’s stormy voyage.

God Is Present in Every Step of the Journey

One of the first things that caught our attention is how meticulously Luke lays out the journey—wind directions, the number of people on the ship, even how many days they’ve gone without seeing the sun or stars. These aren't just random travel notes. Luke is showing us that even when God's name isn't front and center, His presence is unmistakably woven into the journey.

We were reminded that God is always working to move us toward a moment and a place where He’s going to use us—just like He was with Paul. And He doesn’t only use us when we “arrive.” He uses us on the way. That truth alone makes us pause and ask: where in our lives might we be overlooking God’s hand just because the moment doesn’t feel overtly spiritual?

Courage in the Chaos

Then we hit verse 21, and Paul stands up in the middle of this raging storm—no sun, no stars, no food for two weeks—and says, “Men, you should have taken my advice…” And honestly, our first thought was: really, Paul? Now’s the time for an “I told you so”?

But then we realized what was really happening. Paul wasn’t being smug; he was confident. He had encountered an angel the night before who reminded him of his purpose: “You must stand trial before Caesar.” Paul knew he wasn’t going to die in that storm because God had a future assignment for him. And not only that—God had graciously given Paul the lives of all those with him.

It’s such a real moment. Because if we were in that storm, we’d probably be praying for the waves to calm, for the clouds to clear, and for a warm meal. But instead, God reminded Paul (and us) to look beyond the storm to the bigger picture: “You have to make it to Rome. I'm not done with you yet.”

Obedience Over Escape

Another thing that stood out? The temptation to cut corners. When fear sets in, we look for lifeboats—literal or metaphorical. In verse 29, some sailors try to sneak off the ship, pretending to lower anchors. Paul stops them. Obedience matters. God had promised to spare every life on board—but that promise required faithful action.

That’s something we felt deep in our bones. How often do we try to take shortcuts when the road gets rough? This passage reminded us that obedience, even when it doesn’t seem logical, is part of God’s way of delivering on His promises.

Gratitude in the Storm

And then—this really struck us—Paul gives thanks. In verse 35, he takes bread and gives thanks to God in front of everyone. They haven’t eaten in two weeks. They’re exhausted, terrified, and not even sure where they’ll wash up. But Paul pauses to give thanks.

That moment felt so powerful to us. Paul gives thanks not after the storm, but in the middle of it. It’s a reminder that worship and gratitude aren’t reserved for when the skies are clear. They’re acts of trust, even when we’re still being tossed around.

What We Learn About God

In Acts 27, we’re reminded that God is with us in every step of our journey—even when His name isn’t splashed across the page. He speaks—through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, sometimes even through angels. And He calls us to obedience. To trust Him not just for the destination, but in the storm itself.

What We Learn About Ourselves

Honestly? We tend to fixate on the one puzzle piece right in front of us. We get overwhelmed by our immediate circumstances and forget that God sees the whole picture. Today, the Lord reminded us to lift our chins, to give thanks even when it's hard, and to trust that He’s still putting the whole puzzle together.