Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Wednesday, August 28, 2013 Read – Acts 27:27-32 Two weeks into the fateful voyage and likely still wallowing in despair, Luke tells us the sailor begin to suspect that they are nearing land. When they measure the depth of the sea they discover that this is exactly the case – and now another danger swells up. Will the ship crash into the land and be destroyed? In desperation the sailors lower the anchors from the rear of the boat and begin to pray in earnest. The saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes” is so true. One is reminded again of the story of Jonah where we are told that the pagan sailors are praying fervently only to find Jonah asleep in the depths of the ship – they plead with him to get up and pray to his God. Of course in the Jonah story Jonah knows why the storm is raging and that the only solution is to cast Jonah into the sea. The sailors do that and the author of the book of Jonah tells us they begin to believe in Jonah’s God. This story does not follow that pattern. The sailors may be praying but they are also looking out for their own skins. They attempt to flee from the ship and make their way as best they can to land, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves. Once again it is Paul who sees through their design and warns the centurion that unless they remain with the boat they will lose their lives. One is reminded of the saying of Jesus, “Whoever seeks to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life will save it.” The disappointed sailors are not able to flee as the “get-away” boat is cut loose and sent out onto the waves.