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Acts 27:
Just then a light wind began blowing from the south, and it looked like a perfect day for the trip; so they pulled up anchor and sailed along close to shore.

But shortly afterwards the weather changed abruptly, and a heavy wind of typhoon strength (a "northeaster," they called it) caught the ship and blew it out to sea. They tried at first to face back to shore but couldn’t, so they gave up and let the ship run before the gale.

We finally sailed behind a small island named Clauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat that was being towed behind us, and then banded the ship with ropes to strengthen the hull. The sailors were afraid of being driven across to the quicksands of the African coast, so they lowered the topsails and were thus driven before the wind.

The next day as the seas grew higher, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. The following day they threw out the tackle and anything else they could lay their hands on. The terrible storm raged unabated many days, until at last all hope was gone.

No one had eaten for a long time, but finally Paul called the crew together and said, "Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Fair Havens - you would have avoided all this injury and loss! But cheer up! Not one of us will lose our lives, even though the ship will go down.

"For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul - for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God has granted your request and will save the lives of all those sailing with you.'
So take courage! For I believe God! It will be just as he said! But we will be shipwrecked on an island."
(TLB)

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the inner conviction that I belong to You, like the Apostle Paul did.
Thank You for the privilege of serving You, as he did,
and thank You for Your care of me, when the situation is out of control and all hope is gone,
in Jesus' name,
Amen.