Daily Dose of Hope
December 30, 2025
Scripture – Acts 27
Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name. Thank you for who you are and all you do. Thank you for loving us. Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now. In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.
Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading. We have been on an incredible journey of reading through the Gospels and Acts. Today, we are walking through Acts 27.
Paul's journey continues. This time, he is on his way to Rome. They hit very severe weather, which threatens to kill all those on board. It must have been quite dire, as they throw their cargo overboard to lighten up the ship. It sounds like weeks and weeks of hunger and misery. They finally see land. By this point, there isn't much left of the ship.
The soldiers want to kill the prisoners but the centurion stops them, as he wanted to ensure that Paul was spared. It seems that the situation was a bit of a free for all; those who could swim, swam to shore. Others grabbed pieces of floating debris and yet all managed to get to shore safely.
This is such an interesting passage to me. The Scripture says there were 276 men on board that ship. They must have all been praying in whatever way they were accustomed to do so. I can't help but think that Paul was praying boldly and witnessing to all the men on board. In such a situation, it seems highly likely people would be very open to hearing about the eternal life offered through faith in Jesus. I wonder if that is why the centurion was so intent on saving Paul's life. Had he become a follower of Jesus?
Throughout the book of Acts, we see people boldly witnessing for Jesus. First, Peter and John and then Paul. Their focus on Jesus is so central to all they do that nothing else matters. What about you? While we live in a different time and place, we still have lots of people around us who need to hear about Jesus. How bold are you? Is Jesus central to everything you do?
Blessings,
Pastor Vicki
