Voice: Doreen
Today is Wednesday, 7th of October. Take a moment to be still in His presence.
We read the Venite
1O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.
4In his hand are all the depths of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands prepared the dry land.
6O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
8If only you would hear his voice today: for he comes to judge the earth.
9He shall judge the world with righteousness: and the peoples with his truth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever. Amen.
Acts 27:13-26
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,[c] and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
A most of us are unfamiliar with the maritime world, some details of this passage will be lost to us. We do know however that a sail ship is at the mercy of the weather. The geography of the route can also poses dangers with jutting rocks, islands and conditions around the coast.
The voyage had become dangerous. Paul advised against continuing, but the centurion trusted the pilot and the shipowner. The majority agreed that they should sail on, hoping to reach a more suitable harbour for the winter.
When a gentle south wind began to blow, it seemed that their decision had been justified. Soon, however, a violent storm struck. They lost control of the ship and were driven along by the wind. They threw cargo and equipment overboard in an effort to survive. After many days under cloudy conditions, without seeing the sun or stars, they finally abandoned all hope of being saved.
A ship’s journey can symbolise our life’s journey. A favourable beginning does not guarantee an easy journey. Sometimes circumstances appear to confirm our plans, only for difficulties to arise later. We need to exercise humility in our decisions, to listen carefully to counsel, and to recognise the limits of our judgement.
Yet the heart of this account is found in what Paul says when hope has gone. He stands among the frightened passengers and urges them to take courage. An angel has assured him that he will stand before Caesar and that everyone sailing with him will survive.
Paul describes the Lord as “the God to whom I belong and whom I worship.” Before speaking about what would happen to the ship, he declares whose he is. The storm has taken away their control over the journey, but it has not changed his faith in God.
We may face circumstances we cannot control. Illness, loss, uncertainty, or disappointment can leave us feeling as though we are being driven along by forces stronger than ourselves. And they often do. Such is life as it happens. At such times, remembering that we belong to God can steady our hearts.
Paul then says, “I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” His confidence rests on God’s promise. The storm is still raging when he speaks. Nothing around him has yet improved, but he trusts the One who has spoken.
The promise given to Paul was specific to that voyage. We cannot assume that every storm in our lives will end without loss. Indeed, even in this account, the ship would be destroyed, and they would have to run aground. God’s deliverance would come through a frightening and costly experience.
Paul’s faith also becomes a source of courage for others. Though he is a prisoner, he is able to strengthen those around him. We, too, may have opportunities to offer hope while sharing in the same difficulties as those we seek to encourage. A calm presence, a prayer, or a timely word can help someone persevere.
What storm are you facing today? What would it mean to remember that you belong to God? And whom might you encourage as you learn to trust him through it?
We pray the Collect for the Day:
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen.
Be blessed by Still, Sung by Tahisha Hunt, accompanied by Nigel Hendroff.
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm (oh, I will)
Father, You are king over the flood
And I will be still, know You are God
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone, oh yeah
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm (oh, yes I will)
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood (let me sing, You’re God)
I will be still, know You are God
STILL
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan
© 2002 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
CCLI: 3940963
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at terrywong@anglican.org.sg
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