Paul urged them all to take some food.

Acts 27:33-38, As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

Paul finds the people on board much more willing to listen to his advice now that the ferocious storm has battered the ship and all on board. His advice is very practical, like that given to Elisha when he was at the end of his strength, “Take the bread and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” It’s far too easy for us to exceed our own strength, even perhaps thinking that we need to accomplish something for the Lord. How wonderful that He is able to meet our needs even when we fail to recognize them ourselves, and that He remembers that we are dust! His provision is indeed amazing!

We thank You for Your providence in all situations, O Lord, for we depend upon You!

ESV Lectionary