Scripture:
vs 3, 5-6, 17-19
[3] Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
[5] But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. [6] The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead..
[17] ..I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. [18] They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. [19] The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.
Observation:
God was using Paul to fulfill His plan.
God made a promise earlier to Paul about going to Rome.
In keeping His promise, God protected Paul. He did not allow Paul to be killed by the guards, drown at sea from a storm, or die from a viper bite.
Paul did his part, led by the Holy Spirit, he spread the Gospel all along the way to Rome – to the guards, to the other prisoners, and to the people he met along the way.
Application:
Our Heavenly Father has made promises to us as he did to Paul. The most significant being that we will spend eternity with Him.
As we head to our final destination with Him, we need to do our part. We need to allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, to be used to fulfill God’s plan and tell others of the Good News every chance we get all along the way, just as Paul did on his way to Rome.
As Paul found, you may find a form of persecution along the way because Satan is at work, and many people with a world-view and hardened heart just can’t handle the Truth. God’s promise doesn’t change though and He will use us along the way if our free will allows Him to do so.
Prayer:
Lord thank You for the promise that we spend eternity with You. Keep us always filled with Your Spirit to guide us on a daily basis. Help us overcome any persecution we may face in this world. Help us with the opportunities You present us with to share the Gospel to family, friends, and anyone we come in contact with. Let us not feel like we aren’t strong enough or good enough or knowledgable enough to spread the Gospel. Lord we know that it’s not us as individuals who bring any single person to know You. Use us as one of the many small parts of having a person come to know You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.