Acts 27:20
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
This belongs to Paul's long, difficult voyage to Italy as a prisoner in chains, during which he endured trying experiences. For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, which meant the loss of the lights sailors relied on to navigate, and with no small tempest still lying upon them all hope of being saved was taken away. With those guides hidden and the severe storm continuing, the danger seemed overwhelming and the despair was complete.
That despair came after progressive distress, for the vessel leaked despite precautions, was lightened the next day, and was tossed with shattered mast and torn sails until its groaning timbers seemed about to break. The leak grew faster until crew and passengers had to work at the pumps continually with rest for no one, and on the third day they threw out even the tackling of the ship with their own hands. The ship then drifted for fourteen days under a sunless, starless sky during the severe storm.
Paul shared the physical suffering of those on board, but trusted that God would preserve him to witness for Christ in Rome. He prayed with compassion for the sinful, unprepared people around him, and God revealed to him that their lives would be spared. God used Paul's imprisonment and the ship's peril to make His power known through Paul, so that the crew witnessed that power and the Gentiles who heard about Jesus and saw his ministry had the opportunity to believe.
The verse shows one of Paul's many trials as a constantly traveling, unwearied worker, sometimes on the water in storm and tempest. His lot was far harder than modern travel because it lacked present conveniences, yet he allowed nothing to hinder his work as God's servant to carry out His will. His endurance in such hardship gives courage not to become discouraged.