Christ Jesus is The Difference

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Acts 27:27-38 (ESV)

I share this passage with you today as a reminder concerning those who are being tossed about on this Thanksgiving Day. It bodes well for us to remember that the soldiers on the ship were in great distress and did not believe in the one true and living God. Their struggle can be likened to the turmoil so many are experiencing today in our country.

Like the soldiers on the imperiled ship, they fight against the storm. They attempted to manhandle their situation. They fail at every turn in their circumstance and all seems hopeless.

Paul reasoned with the soldiers when all appeared to be completely lost. He told them to let go. He told them hold to the safety found in the ship. He told them to eat, so that they might be strengthened.

Today let us remind someone who we know that there is a God who can save and preserve in times of trial. Let us pray for the less fortunate as we gather around our table to break bread. Let us serve them by offering a portion of what we have, so that they may be strengthened and encouraged to let go of this life and gain the safety of the Ship.

I share this with you today in remembrance and honor of Christ Jesus, so that He might be glorified in all that we on this Thanksgiving Day.