Paul In The Storm

The Roman leaders have struggled to please the Jews and give Paul a fair trial. The Jews hate Paul and would like to put him to death. Now Paul is a Roman citizen and because of this he can request that his trial be presented to Caesar in Rome. Caesar is the most powerful ruler in all of the Roman empire. All the kings recognize Caesar as their boss. King Agrippa commanded that Paul should be sent to Rome as a prisoner to face Caesar. Paul knew that this was all a part of God's plan because God said years before:   "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."   Paul's good friend Luke who wrote all about these adventures of Paul in book of Acts, will join him on this trip. Because Rome is across the Mediterranean Sea from Caesarea they will travel by ship for much of the journey. Paul and Luke sailed up towards Turkey and then transferred ships to travel on to Rome. Now it was approaching winter so the weather was becoming very windy and stormy. In those days sailing was very dangerous. There were many boats that sank and many people lost their lives. But Paul was used to dangers and problems. He said:   ...three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.*   Even in his sufferings, Paul knew God was in control of everything that happened to him. Paul was a man on a mission and God told him that Rome was his next destination. None of us know what will happen to us in the future. Storms may come and this journey through life can be dangerous. The good news is, like Paul you can take courage when God is with you. If you haven't already, pray and ask God to take control of your life today. Acts 23:11, 2 Corinthians 11:25 (NASB)

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