By Edwin Crozier
On the one hand, we can easily recognize why there might be persecution. The kingdom of Christ will have enemies. We are in a fight. We expect the soldiers of the other kingdoms to attack. But this shipwreck isn’t persecution. It is neither the Romans nor the Jews attacking Paul. This is just an “act of nature.” It is just a hardship. It is something anyone might end up having to go through. But you would think God would keep His children out of such difficulties. You would think God would make the path to Rome a little easier for Paul. Why does God allow this? First, God has never promised to keep His children from all hardships and troubles. Life is full of trouble. Everyone’s life is full of trouble, Christian and non-Christian alike. Second, because God had plans for His own glory that He was going to fulfill through this shipwreck. His glory was displayed by the saving of the sailors and prisoners despite the loss of the ship. We will see God’s glory displayed on Malta in the next chapter. God’s glory is far more important than our ease. And sometimes, God’s glory is displayed by how we endure suffering and hardship. As we go through hardship, rather than asking God merely to deliver us or remove it, we should seek God’s glory. That’s tough, but it is what is most important.