39When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could.
40And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach.
41But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves.
42The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape;
43but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.
Indirect, indirect, indirect! You never know how God can indirectly use us. The lives of the prisoners were spared because of Paul. We have no idea the indirect impacts we make on the lives of others. Our faithfulness to God can do great things to people two or three degrees removed from our spheres of influence. Our sin can have similar but devastating effects. Our impact on the world goes far beyond the people we come into contact with. Oh, and yes, I did watch a lot of Quantum Leap growing up.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)
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