SHAKE IT OFF
ACTS 28:3-6
ACTS 28:3-6 NKJ
3 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. 4 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.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 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.
This story of Paul being bit by a viper is rich with lessons for us.
How Paul responded when the snake was hanging on his hand is so impressive to me, one who literally hates snakes. The fact that he did not scream, freak out or cry out why God is a strong testimony to his strong faith.
The angel on the boat told Paul he was going to stand before Caesar, and no snake was going to stop that. Paul was a man who believed in God's protection.
This story is also a great picture of human nature. The natives who saw Paul get bit immediately went to the negative and assumed he was a murderer who got what was coming to him. But after he had zero side effects, they said he was a god. We humans can show dramatic swings in our assessments, and they are often wrong. This must be another reason we are told not to judge.
APPLICATION
Paul's confidence in God is inspiring. He was not looking for a snake to prove anything; it simply happened. But when life happens, our trust and confidence in God can allow us to "shake it off" and suffer no harm. And when God delivers us from the snake bites of life, we can be a living witness to those who do not know of God's goodness and miracle-working power.
PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for Your grace and power that enables me to shake off the snake bites of life. I will finish my race for You.