Acts 28 -- We Never Know

Paul and all of the survivors of the shipwreck had landed on Malta.  276 people had all survived!  The Maltans built a large beach fire to warm them.  Paul, never one to sit back and claim privilege, busied himself collecting wood and adding it to the fire, and a poisonous snake residing in the pile of wood bit him as it was trying to escape.  God kept him healthy, however, to the amazement of all.

I liked a discussion about it in my commentary:

"Was the viper a weapon of Satan to get Paul out of the way?  The storm didn't drown him, but a hidden trap might catch him.  As Christians, we must constantly be alert, for either the serpent or the lion will attack us.  We should keep in mind that we are being watched, and we must use every opportunity to magnify Christ."

Father, You really impressed upon me the importance of that last sentence.  Everything we do, every minute of every day, can either magnify Christ or turn others away from Him because of our actions.  We never know who is watching, and our actions could cause others to disbelieve if we aren't careful.  Guard my heart.  Help me to remember this.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford