Acts 28:3-6 NLT
As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
If you have proclaimed your faith in Jesus Christ, people will be watching you all the time. They will be paying attention to see how you react, especially during times of struggle during trials.
When we call ourselves Christians, the way we act primarily during times of pressure, the way we respond during these times will tell others how faithful we are to the sovereign nature of God.
Is our response one of calm, confidence in our God, or worry and nervousness that things will work out if we can only do this or if someone else will do that?
I like the example that Paul exhibits during the trials he faced in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It was always with joy and a confident expectation that God is working things out.
Romans 8:28 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
How are we doing with this in light of Covid-19? Are we cowering in fear of getting sick, or are we moving with faith, looking for ways to serve those around us?
I don’t say this lightly, and I don’t say that you go out and just willy nilly get out there in the face of others, but we have been given guidelines to follow.
The thing with all of this is that God will determine who will live and who will die and is the only one who knows when that will happen. And He has control over all of it.
Look at the example that Paul set in today’s verses. He had just got on shore after being shipwrecked. He helped collect wood to get the fire going to help everybody get warm, and a poisonous snake jumped up and bit him.
Without missing a beat, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was unharmed.
See, it was in the sovereign hands of God that Paul was not to die.
As Christians, we are not to live in fear of our circumstances; we are to live in the hope of the coming glory of Jesus Christ.
God wasn’t done with Paul, and He isn’t done with us.
When we focus our efforts on our calling in Jesus Christ, God will see it through to completion, and our job is to focus on our part despite our circumstances.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
1 John 4:18 NLT
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
What hope we have when we belong to Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Your promise.
I pray that Your Word will affect my mind, let it change my thoughts, let it change my attitudes, and make it change what I do.
I pray that my life becomes an example of a life submitted to Your Word and that it shines brightly for God’s glory.
I pray for the joy, hope, courage, and faith that comes from living in Your will.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray in His Holy Name, Amen!! 🙏❤️
