HE GAVE THANKS IN THEIR PRESENCE

" And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."  (Acts 27:35)

Paul was a prisoner on a Roman boat, and they were in the middle of a fierce storm. The Apostle had warned the captain of the ship not to cut loose from Crete, declaring he perceived the voyage would be "with hurt and much damage." However, his counsel was ignored in preference of the master and owner of the ship. Not long after they had embarked upon their journey, a violent wind came upon them. It was "a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon," and they were helpless against it. After attempting to navigate through the waters, they finally gave in to the wind, and it carried them along helplessly. It was a lengthy storm, requiring they lighten the ship, even throwing the tackling overboard. For many days, neither the sun or stars appeared as they remained in the grip of this dark and damaging storm (Acts 27:10-20).
Finally, after a long fast, Paul stood before the wearied sailors and passengers. He told them they should have listened to his advice. Then, in the midst of the storm he called upon them to cheer up. He told them the angel of God had appeared to him, telling him not to be afraid. Paul must come before Caesar in Rome, and until then, God had given him charge of the ship.  There would be no loss of life, but the ship would be destroyed. They would all make it to a certain island, safe and sound. He told the men he believed God, that it would be precisely as He had promised (vs 21-26).
About the fourteenth day, things had gotten no better. As they were driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight, the sailors realized they were being swept toward land. Thinking they were going to be dashed upon the rocks, they threw four anchors out, seeking to secure the ship, and waited for daybreak. Some of them were preparing to leave the ship in a smaller boat, but Paul stopped them, saying "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Obediently, the soldiers cut the boat loose, letting it fall into the water (vs 27-32).
About daybreak, Paul told them they had fasted long enough. It was time for them to eat.  He told them none were going to perish. Then, "he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat." Seeing his good example, their spirits were revived, and they also ate. There are times when courageous and insightful souls need to display their faith before others, so their hearts may be encouraged to last out the storms of life. Despair can often be broken by the public cheerfulness of a believer.