ACTS of the Apostles - Part 2

Read Acts 28: 1-6

Focus Verses: Acts 28:3-4

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer…”

My favorite thing about reading through the book of Acts, for me, has been the fact that it reads like a non-fiction story. It is historical, so while I'm reading the words, I'm picturing the people.

First, let's talk about the native people of Malta. They seem to be such an appropriate representation of people. When the snake came out of the brush and bit Paul, they saw it as proof of his guilt. They were positive he was guilty! Then, when he removed the snake and nothing else happened to him, the natives stated he must be a god. WOW! First he was a murderer. Soon after, a god. Humankind tends to think in extremes.

At times, maybe we would be much wiser to just observe a situation for a period of time before making any kind of judgment. I'm not sure why the people of Malta needed to judge Paul as wicked or saintly anyway. Today, I could probably say that same thing many times every day. Why do we feel we have to cast a judgment on every, single person and activity?

Secondly, Paul was a savage! He'd experienced so much difficulty that I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd cried out, "WHY, GOD?" when the snake latched on to his arm. Really, enough is enough. He didn't. Paul, seemingly calm and composed, just shook the snake off his arm and into the fire.

Why so calm, Paul? Tell us your secret.

Obviously, Paul's answer to us will have to wait. But, I think we can hear a hint of it in Philippians 4:11-12. Paul had learned a powerful secret,

I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned that secret of being content - whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

Now, we can add to Paul's list, "whether I have a snake dangling from my arm on land, or shipwrecked at sea." And, the result of this secret is a popular verse we like to use for all kinds of victory, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (4:13)

Do you see? Paul could "shake off" whatever the obstacle was because he'd learned the secret of being content. He knew how to rest in the Truth that God is faithful. PERIOD.

There's still TONS of mystery involved in the Christian life. We don't know a lot of things for certain. We tend to argue about many opinions, but this one thing should be the foundation of our conversations. God is faithful! He cannot be anything else.

Shake it off, sister! Let it go. Nothing (I mean nothing) can stop God's plan.

God, thank you for Paul! What a testimony of faithfulness to a faithful God. We get to learn so much about you through his testimony. Guard us from getting caught up in extremes. What a distraction! Cause us to settle, to lean in, to rest and wait for Your faithfulness to be visible. Amen.