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1999-06-03 - Snakes and Storms
Acts 28:3-4 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 And 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 has not allowed
him to live." (NAS)
Paul and the ship's company and crew have just lived through a merciless
14-day long storm. Though they did not see the sun during those two weeks,
Paul never lost sight of his Lord. Time and time again Jesus forewarned Paul
of things he could not have known. He told the soldiers that there was no
need to kill the prisoners as they had planned, but all would be saved through
the storm. Time and time again Paul's words amazed the minds of soldiers
and sailors alike. As Paul waded up on the beach his heart must have been
warmed by thankfulness to his Master.
Tired, cold and wet, one by one they each arrived on the beach. A few began
searching for firewood to warm themselves and dry their clothes. As the Apostle
throws a bundle of sticks on the fire, a startled snake strikes Paul's hand.
Before anyone could blink, the seemingly natural conclusion is drawn. Paul
has escaped death at sea, but will not be spared. He has obviously done something
deserving of death. And, Death is here to claim him.
John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi,
who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?"
3 Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor
his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed
in him. (NAS)
The original 12 disciples were no different. "Who sinned?", they asked. Someone
had to have been responsible, for this punishment to have been dispensed.
Jesus' answer must have caused a mental train wreck to their way of
thinking - ours too before we get too proud. The situation was either permitted
or ordered so that the power of God could be displayed. The blind man,
who had probably accepted this way of thinking too, was liberated with
a freedom that is difficult to put into words.
Well, when Paul didn't bloat up like a balloon and drop dead, he had a new
problem. Now, the local folks tried to make him a god. Paul must have been
mortified. The temptation to give them a royal tongue-lashing from deity
must have been there. Once he could get a word in, Paul would speak to the
people and redirect their focus to Jesus as the reason for the amazing things
they had seen. It might have also been tempting, especially after the two
weeks' worth of ordeal to simply, quietly brush the whole matter aside. But
Paul had a chance to speak on his favorite topic again. Before
they left the island, he would lay hold of the opportunity,
gladly telling all who would hear of his gracious Master and Savior.
These situations where both engineered for God's glory. God was indeed glorified
in both - once by blindness and once by snake bite. Tragic events often bring
people together, some that might not have otherwise been included are often
there too. In difficult times, when we are obviously not in control, we are
more willing to accept the concept of God. Our pride is humbled and our abilities
are shown to be the limited things they really are. Enter the Lord to reach
out to touch lives and mend hearts.
Isa 55:6-9 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon
Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will
have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
My ways," declares the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than
your thoughts. (NAS)
If you have been through storms and snake bites, don't lose hope. If you
are sure that everything that has happened is because of something you did,
and God would never forgive you - think again. The simple truth is that God
loves you and stands ready to forgive you and accept you just as you are.
And it is entirely possible that He has orchestrated everything to display
His mighty hand in your life.
Lord Jesus - teach us expectancy in the storms that
we might not miss the displays of Your power. Give us the grace to love
the sinner, just as You loved us when we where still Your enemies. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
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