Acts 27:39-28:6
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people 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 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.
Morgan Murray
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Observation: I see God using calamity as an opportunity to create a divine appointment.
Action: I will look for the divine appointments God has for me in the midst of the hassles I experience this week.
Was trying to think if anyone else in the Bible overcame a snake bite–Oh, Yeah. Jesus did. Actually He crushed the Serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15), but not without Himself suffering the curse of that bite–death. I think that’s why it gets such attention: Death is the curse that attaches to everyone. But because Jesus overcame the curse, the power of God in the resurrection enables Paul to shake off the curse of death–according to God’s very will for His life.
Help me remember today that Your will powers my life, and that overcoming death, both physical and spiritual is securely in Your capable hands, O Lord Jesus. Amen
Observation: A few verses earlier, Luke points out that there were 276 people on the ship. And here, we see that all were not only saved, but the native people of Malta welcomed them and made them a fire. Would we be as ready and as welcoming as they were if we were in the same situation? Are we, in ours?
Action: I will make space in my life today to get ready to show hospitality to people of peace.
Observation: sometimes the ship built to keep everyone safe simply needs to be abandoned.
Action: i will consider what instrument i once relied upon that no longer serves its purpose needs to be run aground so the people can find life