SOAP Devotional Acts 17b-20 – Is it time to throw cargo overboard to lighten our lives? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 693

Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering fron the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 17b-20)

Steven P. Wickstrom, a retired Coast Guardsman, said the ship would’ve risen and fallen while the wind knocked it from side to side.

The men were wet, cold, and seasick, unable to eat or sleep. On the third day of darkness, they lost hope. They slowed the ship’s motion by throwing the sea anchor into the ocean. When the boat took in water, they lightened it by throwing cargo overboard so it wouldn’t sink. They threw the tackle, all the equipment to operate the sails, into the ocean.

While reading this passage, I imagined Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, spices in hand, at Jesus’ tomb. I can imagine how depressed they were when the rock blocking Jesus’ tomb was still in place. If the son of God couldn’t overcome death, there was no hope.

Often hope eludes us until we roll away boulders of guilt or discard the excess activities that consume our time and energy, so we can focus on the dreams God has placed in our hearts.

Father, I praise You for the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. Show me what excess baggage I need to purge to fulfill them. Keep my family and me safe today, and bind us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

SOAP Devotional Acts 17b-20 – Is it time to throw cargo overboard to lighten our lives? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 693

2 thoughts on “SOAP Devotional Acts 17b-20 – Is it time to throw cargo overboard to lighten our lives? – Free online Bible study – Commentary in easy English – Day 693

  1. Just as the boat was being pulled down in the terrible storm, the problems in our lives can pull us down. We need to pray for God to lighten our load, but we are meant to think and pray about our problems. Problems just don’t instantly disappear because we pray. I believe that God wants us to think and try to work things out in the best way possible. It is a process and problems do not instantly disappear.

    Jody, I am praying that God will lighten our loads. Sometimes it feels like a jungle that we are trying to navigate. I am praying that you are able to navigate through life today with God by your side. I love you

    1. That is true – always with his help though. It is God who provides a way out of our problems, and we don’t have to worry because we know he will. God is by my side, leading me. I also pray for you and your family for healing, refreshment, and travel mercies. Love you, Sis.

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