SHAKE IT OFF
- DAY 343
- FAITH FILE: APOSTLE PAUL
- SCRIPTURES: ACTS 28
“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 on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.”
Acts 28:3-6 NKJV
After suffering through the wreck and surviving, Paul and the other passengers of the ship are now on land on an Island. Out there in the rain, they needed fire for warmth but as Paul gathered sticks to add to the fire, a viper came out of one of the sticks and stuck his venomous teeth in his hands. This is like having one problem after another, no breathing space.
The natives were convinced that he was a murderer and this was justice coming for him. Another way to say it was karma. If we remember currently, Paul was indeed a murderer, he devoted his life to killing believers until he encountered Jesus. He could have let their comments get to him and believed that God was out to get him or his past had come back to hunt him. But he knew that all his debts were paid on the cross and justice had already been served when Yeshua bled and died on Calvary.
Sometimes when troubles overwhelm us we become convinced that our past is responsible. “This must be God punishing me for my past sins,” we conclude. But clearly, that is a lie. Jesus has paid it all and mercy is speaking for you.
What was Paul’s response or reaction to this? He shook it off. He did not panic or respond to them. He shook the snake off and acted like nothing happened. Why? Because he had to go and testify in Rome. So he knew without a doubt that he could not die in Malta. Malta is not Rome. This absolute faith in God’s word is what we ought to have. The word of God is true and we have to hold on to it like life, with everything on the inside of us.
The people around him hoped he would die but the healing power in the word killed the poison and they changed their minds and called him a god. How comical.
Beloved, there is an unexplainable courage that will come upon you that will make people think you are more than you actually are. Meanwhile, it is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding that carries you through that situation. May your heart be filled with that courage in Jesus’ name.
Shalom.
