Acts 27:13

New International Version (NIV)

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.

For meditation

1. Have noticed our human vulnerability to poor counsel and pretentious conditions? Do you see how we’re often deceived by many things that look like, but are not?
2. Have you ever rejoiced at a great opportunity that turned to be your worst nightmare? Do you realize how often our burning desires obscure the pitfalls that come with the opportunities? Do you see why, at such times, we turn down all wise counsel?
3. Have you read the account of Paul’s journey to Rome for trial before the Emperor (Acts 27:1-44)? Wouldn’t the crew have avoided the shipwreck if they had listened to Paul’s?
4. Why did the Centurion disregard Paul when he predicted the disaster ahead of them (10)? Why did the Centurion rather listen to the pilot and the owner of the ship (11)?
5. Do you realize it was to protect the commercial interest of the ship owner over the welfare of the passengers (11)? Can you then understand their haste to sail despite the warning? Does it sound familiar?
6. Do you see how the harbor’s poor condition for winter further obscured Paul’s good counsel (12)?
7. Finally, do you see how the “gentle south wind [that] began to blow” enticed them to sail (13)? Do you see the deceptiveness of fair weather?
8. So, do you realize your vulnerability when your heart goes after economic interest against human welfare (1 Tim. 6:9-10)? If God had not intervened for His purpose in Paul, can you imagine the extent of human disaster on that day (Acts 27:23-26)?
9. But for God’s grace, do you see the number of times you may have fallen for opportunities that could have destroyed your career?

I pray that you’ll open your heart to godly counsel instead of focusing on material gain. Have a heart for the things that hurt God’s heart and decide to be a part of the solution for His glory.

So, don’t deceive yourself. Today, the weather may be ‘fair’, but don’t discount the pitfalls that that may come tomorrow. You may be enjoying your wealth today at the expense of eternal things, but what will happen when the Lord comes (2 Pt. 3:8-13)?

Shalom