The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. Acts 28: 2-3
I may have written about these verses before, but there are so many lessons shared in this example that I'm drawn to it this morning. Paul was on his way to be tried in a Roman court, this was not a pleasure trip for him! He is under arrest and guarded constantly, with no freedom! His life is not under his control, much like we feel at times in our own lives! Paul's guard books them on a ship that Paul tells him is going to crash but the guard does not listen to Paul and off they go on the ship to crash. Paul prays for the ship and the people on the ship. The Lord tells him via a messenger that the people will be spared. Paul gives wise counsel and all of the people are spared from drowning but are forced to swim or float on salvage to get to shore. You would think that once they got to shore that things would go more smoothly, but no! When they get to shore the natives are very friendly and minister to all of the refugees when out of the firewood comes a poisonous snake and latches onto Paul's hand! The snake doesn't just bite Paul and slither away, it actually "fastened itself on his hand".
By about now I would have been praying and asking the Lord, does all of this mean You don't want me to go to Rome? But even with so many things working against Paul, he knew he had an assignment and was to continue to Rome. Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire and went about his business! How many of us would be so steadfast? How many of us would shrug our shoulders and say "that door must be shut"? How many of us would start complaining and blaming the Lord?
I am trying to learn to be as steadfast as Paul, to not complain in trying situations, to trust the Lord and to keep moving forward in the assignments the Lord has given me. We all have assignments, please join me in growing in steadfastness and perseverance...the world needs to see the Lord's Kingdom and we are to be examples of it! Don't be put off by shipwrecks or poisonous snakes or whatever may inhabit your life, press on! We can do this!
