“However, we must run aground on a certain island.” Acts 27:26

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A literal rendering of the Greek is, “But we must fall onto a certain island” (CG).

Paul had just provided encouraging words to those gathered on the ship, noting that he was certain that what he was told by the messenger would come to pass. With that good news stated, he prepares them for a challenge ahead, saying, “But we must fall onto a certain island.”

His words are given as confirmation that his story about the angel will be proven true. Not only was he spoken to and given assurances concerning the saving of the people and the loss of the ship, but he was also given a specific revelation to bolster his words.

He notes that they “must’ fall upon a certain island. The word is dei. HELPS Word Studies notes that it indicates what must happen. It is that which is inevitable by “absolute necessity.”

Paul is speaking as the ambassador of God. If Paul’s God is the true God, then His credentials will be verified when these things come to pass. The idea of what is occurring in this verse is the same as that found in John 20:31 where John says, “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Life application: How much proof do you need that what God says will come to pass will actually occur? We have the word recorded. It spoke of the coming Christ, and He came. The things prophesied about His first coming have been fulfilled.

It is true that this could all be an elaborate plan by a group of men to make events match their writings by making up the details of Jesus’ life. But there are so many things in the New Testament that intricately work into the writings that this hardly seems possible. There are many types of patterns that were never known about for centuries after the books were written.

And yet, people still question if the word is true. But suddenly, the Jewish people started to be called back to the land of Israel. They were then reestablished as a nation. The prophecies about these things occurring are found in both testaments.

The word is again proving itself true. However, even people within the church say that the Israel of today is merely an aberration or that these are not the true Jews who belong in the land. Imagine that! People who are supposed to accept the prophetic words in Scripture as a point of it validating itself deny what the word proclaimed!

How much evidence do you need to say, “This is the word of God, and I will trust it.”? Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Read the word, think about what it says, and see if what it proclaims matches what is going on in the world around you. If you are honest, you will find that it does so in a thousand different ways. No! Even more. Have faith. We have a sure word.

Lord God, may our hard hearts soften with the evidence that we see in Scripture. If we just read it and compare it with how things are in the world, we can clearly see that it is from You, and it is given to lead us back to You. May we carefully and thoughtfully consider this precious word all the days of our lives. Amen.