Acts 28:1-10
English Standard
Version (ESV)
28 After we were brought safely through, (A)we then learned that (B)the island was called Malta. 2 (C)The native people[a] showed us unusual (D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it
had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When
Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out
because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When (E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they
said to one another, (F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the
sea, (G)Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, (H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead.
But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him,(I)they changed their minds and (J)said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands
belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and
entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and
dysentery. And Paul visited him and (K)prayed, and (L)putting his hands on him healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the
island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly,[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever
we needed.
There are no coincidences in
life. All things happen for a
reason. Why did the storms come? Why did their boat fall apart? Why did they land on the island of
Malta? Every one of those incidences
allowed God’s glory to shine through.
I can’t help but think that Paul
witnessed to these people even though there is not mention of it in the
passages. Even the native people knew
there were no coincidences. They
believed Paul was getting justice wen that snake wrapped around Paul. They knew he was saved from the shipwreck just
to suffer death. Somehow I think they
knew of the great God , they certainly knew there was a greater power in control. But why did Paul not address the crowd in
this passage, it was unlike him to be silent?
There could have been a language barrier that God did not allow Paul to
speak to them yet He used miracles to show God's mighty power.
As you notice he says nothing when they thought he was a god. Yet, we know that in the past when others
thought of him as a god he denied it. My
study Bible pointed out, these people did not worship him as did the ones did
in Acts 14. Not only did the native
people see these miracles, so did those who were traveling with Paul and they
knew that he was a man of God.
Today, when God does miracles,
large or small, are we vocal about it or do we just let people believe what
they want to believe? When we are
shipwrecked, tossed about by the winds of this world, fighting for our lives do
we see that God is at work? Like I said
in the beginning, I don’t believe in coincidences, all things happen for a
reason and God has a plan. Don’t pass up
the opportunity to witness to all of those who will listen to how God performed
a miracle in your life.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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