Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
Acts 27: 33-36
What were you doing fourteen days ago? Go ahead and pull out your calendar; I'll wait.
Now, can you imagine having not eaten at all in these past fourteen days? Not for lack of food but for lack of hope? The situation that Paul and his companions find themselves in is so dire that they have no reason to think they will live long enough for eating to matter.
If I understand the passage correctly, their ship is being driven along by a storm. They are stuck somewhere in the midst of a storm of hurricane force (vs. 14) and are being driven along with it wherever it goes. Try to imagine the scene. These men are waterlogged. Their hands and feet are pruney and wrinkled from the constant dampness caused by wave after wave washing over the ship and dripping down between the boards to the lower decks. Everything stinks of the sea by now. All hope is gone. It seems that even the passing of time has stopped since neither the sun nor the stars have appeared for many days (Acts 27:20). These hardened sailors know that it is their fate to be battered by this storm indefinitely until it finally takes their lives. They are fourteen days in, and all hope is gone.
What could cause someone to find hope in a situation this dire? Sure, if the storm breaks they will feel better, but what could possibly cause them to find hope in the middle of the storm? Only Christianity! Their pagan religions gave them no relief. It wasn't until Paul spoke and told them of God's promise that they were even able to find enough hope to eat.
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Acts 27:22-25
Christianity is a thoroughly hopeful religion. This is no religion for the pessimist or the sour individual. No! God's goodness, His unchanging nature, and His commitment to keep His promises give the believer confident hope even when there is no other reason to hope. And that is okay, for no other reason to hope is needed once the Lord has said what He will do. His Word is all we need. The Lord has said it and that is enough.
Consider how thoroughly optimistic Christianity is. God has said that He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him, whom He has called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He has promised that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He has promised to one day return and take us to be with Him in paradise for eternity (I Thessalonians 4:16). That all may sound rather "pie in the sky" to some people, but take no notice of their opinion. He has proven Himself true to His Word over and over again.
So, whatever you are facing today, however, hopeless it may seem, find a promise of God to cling to and get up! Wash your face. Eat some food. And press on. Choose to obey Him in hope as you eagerly wait for the storm to break and your refuge to appear. He has not abandoned you! And who knows, maybe your ability to find hope in God will be the light those around you need to take courage and find hope in the living God as well.
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