Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, August 30, 2013 Read – Acts 27:39-44 “And so it was that all were brought safely to land” (Acts 27:44). With morning light the sailor and the travelers on the ship see a sight they have longed to see. It has been about two weeks since they were driven into the midst of the sea and the midst of despair. Now the hope of rescue is born once again. The sailors plan seems to be a good one. They will sail the ship into a bay on an unknown island. Readers of Acts are reminded of Paul’s words delivered by an angel that all the people will be saved but the ship will be lost. Will the word of the angel be true? The plan of the sailors is dashed on an unforeseen reef. Caught on the reef the ship began to break apart – the word of the angel was true. For one last time on the fateful journey Paul’s life is put in danger from two sources. How were the passengers to get to land – would some drown in the sea? And to make matters worse the soldiers who were in charge of guarding the prisoners decide to kill them so that they do not escape. A soldier was held responsible for his prisoner and if the prisoner escaped the soldier would pay with his own life. We saw that in Peter’s deliverance from prison in Jerusalem – when the authorities had determined that Peter was free the guards were killed (Acts 12:19). Once again a Roman comes to Paul’s rescue. The centurion protects Paul and the other prisoners – there will be no loss of life just as the angel said. And everyone makes it safely to the shores. The sea voyage that seemed to spell certain disaster for Paul comes to a good end – but the voyage is not quite over. They discover that they have landed on an island called Malta to the south and west of Italy. They will now wait for better weather to make the final journey to Rome.