"Where is the Anchor?”

Acts 27:14-24 New King James Version (NKJV) 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.  16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.  18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.  19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.  20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,  24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Euroclydon [jʊˈrɒklɪˌdɒn] (Free Online Dictionary) n 1. (Christian Religious Writings / Bible) a stormy wind from the north or northeast that occurs in the Levant, which caused the ship in which St Paul was traveling to be wrecked (Acts 27:14) 2. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) any stormy wind Before we set out on any phase of this journey called life we need to know where our anchor lies. No captain would dare start out on a trip without checking the entire ship for safety. All of the sails need to be repaired; caulking must be done; ships store must be secured and that all important anchor must be in place. How many times do we set out on a life journey without consulting our anchor, God himself! Paul knew that this was a dangerous trip. This trip was taken after the Great Day of Forgiveness, a time when all seafaring folks knew the seas were dangerous. Paul had traveled enough to know that this was not a good time to be on the sea. Perhaps the captain needed the income from just one more trip to meet his needs for the year. Perhaps he just wanted to spend the winter in a more promising place. Whatever his motive, he didn't honor Paul's suggestion and perhaps his own better judgment. What do we do when we are not in control of a situation yet know that the best course is not being followed? During the worst of the storm Paul received counsel from an Angel of the Lord. Jesus left us a Comforter, a guide, a shelter in times of storm in the person of the Holy Spirit. Do we avail ourselves of this critical anchor on all of our journeys of life? Dear Jesus, I ask that you give us the wisdom to search your Word and our hearts and to always seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit at every juncture of this journey called life. May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!