South Winds Blow Softly

Daily Reading: Acts 27

Scripture Focus: Now when the south wind blew softly... (Acts 27.13a)

Devotional Thought: "The calm before the storm." You've experienced it. The Apostle Paul did, too, as he was on his voyage to Rome. They had already had some difficulty on the voyage, and they were running way behind schedule. So, "when the south wind blew softly," the ship's captain was lured into setting off. It proved a disastrous decision, with loss of ship and cargo. Thankfully, all of the passengers were saved.

I came across the following in the Beacon Bible Commentary (p. 573):

"The clause when the south wind blew softly has significant ... application. When young people are lured out of the safe harbor of home, the church, and the standards of the New Testament by the softly blowing winds of seductive worldly pleasure, they are apt to be caught by howling hurricanes and find their frail barks driven furiously across life's sea to be wrecked somewhere on the shores of time. On the basis of this passage one could well say: 'Watch out for those south winds that blow softly.'"

Are there soft winds blowing in your life? We must be careful about what wind fills our sails. The Bible says that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14.12). The soft winds that bring pleasure and repose today may result in pain and regret tomorrow. Know from whence the winds blow and to where they will take you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize the south winds that blow softly. Help me to avoid them and to allow your Spirit to fill the sails of my life, taking me into the future you have prepared for me. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 8 From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, 9 when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. 11 Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared, 12 who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. (Psalms 76:8-12)