Fearing and Wishing

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. (Acts 27:27-35)

While Paul was praying through the brutal storm, the other men were fearing and wishing. Luke recorded it this way: "Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day" (Acts 27:29). 

When dealing with life-or-death situations, you must resist fear because it opens the door for Satan just as faith opens the door for God. Satan cannot harm you except through the power of fear, just as God cannot help you without faith. 

God sent an angel to tell Paul that he had to make it through the storm because God wanted him to appear before Caesar. Since Paul needed to survive, God would also spare the other men. Unlike the sailors, who could only wish about the future, Paul received a message from God and, therefore, knew what would happen because God always keeps His Word. 

Practical Application

Spend time in prayer and God’s Word until you know what He wants you to do. That way, you don’t have to fear or wish about your future.

Psalm 119:46; 2 Timothy 1:8