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.
We should never judge someone based on unfortunate events that may happen to them.
The people of Malta thought Paul was a murderer based on the snakebite, but God stepped in and protected Paul, and God was glorified.
Luke 13:1-5 NLT
About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ”Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
Every observed misfortune should give us cause to repent.
We can’t possibly understand why God does what He does, but we should have faith that He is doing His purification work through these types of events.
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.
Heavenly Father, please give me the patience to wait on You.
Please give me the faith to know that You are perfect in all Your ways and that even if I don’t understand what I see happening around me, You have it well in hand.
I thank You for Your saving grace and forgiveness.
I am faithful that if I keep my eyes on You, You will deliver us through these days of darkness. Let me concentrate on the light of Jesus Christ with unwavering faith.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!🙏❤️
