Things weren’t going well as Paul and other prisoners are transported to Rome. The winds are against them. The wind obeys God.

Paul is given perception, wisdom and insight from God. He says there will be loss of the cargo, ship, and lives if they proceed. They proceed.

I’m assuming money was doing the talking. There was cargo to deliver and time is money. They didn’t want to spend the winter along the route and not get where they were going. It also didn’t make sense to stay there. It wasn’t suitable to winter there.

Were they supposed to stop there? Did God have plans for Paul there that were thwarted by the men in charge?

While God would have used Paul wherever he was, God’s purposes are not thwarted. That also doesn’t mean that everything that happens is right. Sin is not God’s choice, ever. But it happens and it affects us.

God is big enough to allow for freewill and still maintain control because He knows us all so very well, down to the number of hairs on our heads. There is no surprise. He does work circumstances knowing what decisions will be made. He knows how they will react, but they are making that decision.

God accomplishes His purposes and we can rest assured that when things are going all wrong and the people around us are making the wrong decisions, we’re still firmly in God’s hand and carrying out His ultimate purposes.

The winds seem to be in their favor, so they set out. God controls circumstances. When they are storm-tossed, Paul says, “You should have listened.” However, he is not bemoaning it. God sends an angel to tell Paul not to be afraid. Did Paul struggle with fear? Paul was human. God had to send an angel to say, “Don’t be afraid.”

Paul is told he will get where God is sending him. Neither godless men nor tempests get to thwart God’s purposes. God also promises the lives of all those on board. Paul is willing to have faith for them all.

It’s a messy rescue. The ship is breaking up. The soldiers want to kill Paul and the others. But God rescues. Everyone is saved by hook or by crook. God’s purposes are accomplished.