Acts 28:1-6
English
Standard Version (ESV)
28 After
we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called
Malta. 2 The native people[a] showed us unusual 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 the native
people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No
doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice[b] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He,
however, 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, they changed their minds
and said that he was a god.
As I read this
passage today I had to realize once again that God is in control. I know I say that a lot, yet we read it a lot
throughout scripture. Recently there was
a young sixteen year old who died in a small town near where I live. I found out that this young lady had been
battling cancer. She was a very nice
person that was stricken with a horrible disease at such a young age. I also learned of a little boy or was a bat
boy for a semi-pro baseball team that was hit by a bat during the batters
warm-up. The little boy lived a couple
of days but succumbed to his injuries and died.
These were two lively children taken way too soon in our eyes. Why does God allow this to happen?
In Paul’s case
he did not allow this to happen. He healed
Paul and he healed the people on the island of Malta. As a child I always struggled with the
stories relating to healing and raising people, especially children, from the
dead. I always asked God why He did not
raise my sister. I would beg Him to allow
me to speak to her one more time. Those
prayers were not answered with an affirmative and I finally quit asking. I did, however, struggle with the question,
“why?”
In the passage
the healing of Paul and the people gave Paul the opportunity to witness to the
people. Although it is not recorded what
he said to them, there is evidence that they were given some information. 1. We
see that Paul prayed and the people were healed. 2. We
see that they considered him some sort of god but they did not worship
him. If Paul would have not witnessed
these people would have most likely idolized him and may not have let him
leave. 3. They were thankful and gave Paul and the
people on the ship what they needed but they did not shower Paul with all the
riches that they owned which would have been a form of worship to him.
Sometimes God
heals as a way of witness. Other times
He does not heal and we wonder why. The
only solace I can have in this is that God is the God of this universe and He
knows better than I what He is doing and what is best. If He gives life or takes it away it is up to
Him and He has His reasons. He was not
finished with Paul on this earth so He saved Him. In fact He sent that serpent to bite Him, so
that He would have a pathway to witness.
When we have misfortune, pain, illness, or death of a loved one, do we
honor God by being His witness or do we curl up in a shell and feel sorry for
ourselves? How do we respond? As you seek Him today, remember, our response
in all situations should be that of thanksgiving because God is in control.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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