Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 27:21-29

"And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among you, but [only] of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. But we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the [sea of] Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country: and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms. And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day." — Acts 27:21-29 (ASV)

They did not listen to the apostle when he warned them of their danger; yet if they acknowledge their foolishness and repent, he will speak words of comfort and relief to them when they are in danger. Most people bring themselves into trouble because they do not know when they are well off; they come to harm and loss by trying to improve their condition, often against advice. Observe the solemn profession Paul made of his relationship with God.

No storms or tempests can hinder God's favor to his people, for He is a Help always at hand. It is a comfort to the faithful servants of God when they are in difficulties, that as long as the Lord has any work for them to do, their lives will be prolonged. If Paul had thrust himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been cast away with them; but since God called him into it, they are preserved with him.

They are given to you; there is no greater satisfaction to a good man than to know he is a public blessing. He comforts them with the same comforts with which he himself was comforted. God is ever faithful; therefore, let all who have an interest in his promises be ever cheerful. With God, saying and doing are not two things; likewise, believing and enjoying should not be two things for us.

Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, entering into that within the veil. Let those who are in spiritual darkness hold fast to that, and not think of putting to sea again, but abide in Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee away.