Lives saved while being shipwrecked!

​“For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong, whom I also serve, came to me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has graciously granted you all those who are sailing with you.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:23-24‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.27.23-24.NASB2020

Do you remember what happened with Peter and how Herod had treated the soldiers the day after in Acts 12:18-19

“Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12:18-19‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.12.19.NASB2020

In one instance with Peter, all the soldiers lost their lives due to the miracle of God. And now with Paul, all the people were saved from the shipwreck because the hand of God was with Paul. 

I am going to go out on a limb and say the difference was how they treated Peter or Paul. Or should I say, James and Paul? Herod saw that killing James pleased the Jews, the ruling class not the everyday citizen, and then proceeded to arrest Peter. Then instead of releasing Peter, he had 1/4 of the soldiers executed. And on the other hand, the Centurion respected Paul and allowed him freedom in Sidon to see his friends. I am guessing that Paul also had freedom on the boat. 

How valued are you before God? Will he punish those who punish you? Will he extend favor to those who are closest to you even while being shipwrecked? 

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.12.3.NASB2020

“For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:30‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/heb.10.30.NASB2020

“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution; In due time their foot will slip. For the day of their disaster is near, And the impending things are hurrying to them.’”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:35‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/2692/deu.32.35.NASB2020