Are you living in fear? Are you in need of extraordinary favor?
Scripture:
“And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness and hospitality; for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [the avenging goddess] has not permitted him to live.” And it happened that the father of Publius was sick [in bed] with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to him, and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him (Acts 28:2, 4, 8 AMP).”
I am unsurprised that Paul was shown divine and extraordinary kindness (vs. 2) by people who would normally kill others for infiltrating their land. God had a calling for Paul, and no human or thing would stand in the way, not even a deadly viper.
Paul shook off a deadly snake in front of his new friends, and they concluded that Paul was a god, the pagan kind. Paul, a worshiper of the one true God, shares about God and even heals a leader of the island, breaking down any remaining walls that would prevent the gospel from being preached to everyone. With immediate and profound miracles, the god of Justice crumbles into a thousand particles, and the one true God is enthroned (vs. 4, 8).
The whole island is transformed, and they let Paul and the men use a ship they were probably saving to ‘protect’ their island, named Castor and Pollux. I believe Luke, the author of Acts, added this detail to contrast pagan gods with the one true God. Castor and Pollux were twin pagan gods that the island people believed protected them from the sea. After being exposed to Jesus through Paul, their perspectives shifted from pagan gods and superstitious protection to the one True God and Eternal Salvation.
Nothing can stop the plans of God. Isaiah 54:17 comes to mind, articulating this thought: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” I experienced this in combat in Afghanistan. Despite the bullets and danger, I had a feeling of unfound invincibility. Jesus reminds us with the words from scripture that we are not to test God, but what if you had a mindset that felt a little more indestructible and bold no matter the worldly circumstances?
God knows the makeup of the people you come across. Paul just kept being Paul, listening to the Holy Spirit and transforming everything in his path. If God knows the makeup of others, including you btw!, and is in you to help you communicate and act in front of others, what stops you from sharing about Jesus, laying on your hands to pray for supernatural healing or raising someone from the dead, or living out your faith?!
Never Finished Challenge:
Something in your way is causing fear to rule your life. Here is your challenge: ask God to show you what that is and then ask to help you use it or strip it out of your identity! As you learn to walk in reverence to God, bullets will fly by your head, and you will remain confident; vipers will strike your arm, and you’ll shake it off; storms will take your boat, but you and everyone on board will live!
What does this say about God?
We are blood to the Creator of the universe and get to serve on earth, with eternal LIGHT. Today is a reminder that God provides what we need mentally and physically, not for some sick, selfish gain but for His glory - transforming many souls and every nation. This tells me that I serve a merciful King and a Father who does not grow tired of protecting you for your calling (yes, sometimes the withdrawal of protection is the path. But, the sickness or struggle will be redeemed.