Paul and the Snake

After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. 

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. 

                                                              (Acts 28:1-8 NRSV)

Snakes have never bothered me much. When my sons were young, they were always bringing home different sorts of creatures to care for. They were usually allowed to keep and care for them when my husband was deployed. He wasn't too big on creatures in the house and so they were not allowed when he was home. 

My eldest son brought home a whole slew of baby water moccasins when he was in Jr. High. We kept them for a while in a covered bowl on the kitchen table; at least, until the day I came home from work and they had all escaped. I rounded them up and released them into the National Forest behind our home. No more snakes. I also drew the line at the bats he tried to bring into the house. But, most other creatures, slimy, scaly, feathered, or furry were welcome. 

Many people understand snakes to be bad omens. The people on Malta figured that Paul was being punished by the gods for some heinous crime he may have committed when a snake latched onto his hand. They figured he was as good as dead. But, no. Paul merely shook the snake off of his hand into the fire and remained unharmed. 

Opinions do change. The people then wondered if he was a god. How much more they must have thought that when he prayed and laid hands on Publius' father and the man was healed. No, Paul was not a god. But, God was with him on Malta as God led him to Rome to stand trial. The power of God continued to minister to others through Paul until the day of his death. 

Paul was not afraid. He was calm as he shook the snake off his hand. He did God's will without hesitation as he prayed for and healed the sick man. May God help us to serve Him and all of His people, one day at a time, one step at a time, wherever he will lead us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Other Gods

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
                                                                         (Deut 5:6-11 NIV)

I spent many, many, years as the wife of an active duty Marine. The U.S. Marines have a saying: "God, Country, Corps." That is in proper order. God always comes first. There can be no other gods. There can be no other priorities. When faithfulness to God comes first, faithfulness to our other obligations just falls into place, with the help of God. But, if we cannot be faithful to God, then we will not be truly faithful to anything or anyone else, either.

As a Marine Corps wife, I spent a lot of time alone raising two sons, as my husband was deployed for far more than half of his career. I had no family near. It was a good thing. Through this time, I learned that there is one who I can trust all of the time and that is God. Through this time, I learned that there was one who loved me like no other. God was there when no one else was. I wasn't always thrilled with the way He worked things out; but, I came to know and trust that no matter how He was working them out; they were being worked out for the good.

The best thing we can do for our loved ones, for our country, for our world, is to fear, love and trust God above all things; and to follow in the way He would have us go. His plan is perfect for us. Ours is not.

God's Peace - Pr. J