Acts Devotional Week 18

Acts: After the Storm

September 2, 2012

Acts 28:1-10

After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta.  The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it.  Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.  When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”  He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.  They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Paul helps everyone safely survive the storm.  He is helping everyone prepare for survival on the island.  In that process he is attacked by a viper.  This should kill him, it doesn’t.  People thought Paul was being punished for surviving, he wasn’t.  God had greater plans for Paul and God’s protection was with him.  The ones that expected Paul to die were amazed when he didn’t even get sick.  They thought him to be a god.  Amazement is always a proper reaction to God at work.  When others see God at work in our lives, they may be amazed.  There is something different about a Christian.  There is a unique strength in the followers of God.  How close to the surface of our lives do we hold that uniqueness?  What would happen if people saw a little more of God at work in us?  Do we ever try to hide what God is doing in our lives?

 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.  It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him.  After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.  They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Paul promised safety in the storm because of Christ.  He is kept safe personally because of Christ.  Now he heals the sick because of Christ.  After the storm there are many opportunities to do ministry (God’s work).  Paul doesn’t miss a chance to show people who God is and how he works.  God protects.  God heals.  God is worthy of honor.  Let’s make sure we never miss an opportunity to do God’s work.  After the storm we can serve God more fully and people are more ready to see and hear what the Lord is doing.