Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Tuesday, August 27, 2013 Read – Acts 27:21-26 In the midst of utter despair Luke tells us that Paul proclaims a word of encouragement. This is not just wishful thinking. Luke tells us that an angel of God “stood by” Paul during the night and brought him the assuring news that Paul and his companions would not perish. Paul’s destiny was not at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea but before the Emperor in Rome. While it was perhaps merely common sense that motivated Paul to suggest that they not leave the harbor of Fair Haven for the harbor of Phoenix, this declaration by Paul is a prophetic word. Again, we are at a loss to explain how and angel of God stood by Paul or for that matter exactly how God speaks to any of us. We have contemplated that before and it is always an ambiguous task. If there were readers who were wondering whether perhaps nature would do what neither Jews nor Romans could do – keep Paul from Rome – all wonder is now gone. Paul will arrive in Rome. Paul had said earlier that he thought there would be loss of the cargo and lives if the journey went forward from Fair Haven. Now he is told by the angel that God will spare the lives of all those aboard – only the ship will be lost, run aground on some island. We might wonder how people on board reacted to Paul’s words. Luke does not tell us. Likely the reaction was mixed. Perhaps some took hope in Paul’s words. Likely others paid little or no attention to him. Luke’s first readers were encouraged to take courage from the story. God does provide. We can take the same courage as we hear this story and as we live through the storms of life.