BULLETIN ARTICLE – 16 December 2018
The island that Apostle Paul, and the other 275 people who survived, landed on after their disastrous shipwreck was named Malta, which meant refuge. What a fitting name for the situation! Indeed, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). We see how he continually provides for and uses us for his glory. Not only did they survive the terrible storm, they were further blessed with unusual kindness by the islanders. However, the good feelings were interrupted by a poisonous snake’s appearance, threatening Paul’s life. The residents of Malta know about their snake population and realize that sadly Paul was bitten by a poisonous species. The islanders were very superstitious and were shocked and scared, fearing that Paul was going to be poisoned to death. But as before, instead of panicking, Paul calmly shook the poisonous snake off into the fire and ended up suffering no ill effects whatsoever.
More often than not, when an unacceptable blip interrupts our life-turned-good streak, we panic and start questioning as to what is happening. The sudden loss of control usually leads to loss in focus and forgetfulness of our previous experiences with God’s faithfulness. The poisonous viper in the Acts 28 account also alludes to satan, the crafty serpent of Genesis 3, actively trying to lead Adam and Eve then and us now away from following and obeying God. How true that “the liar and father of lies” (John 8:44) desperately tempts us with his deceptions and half truths. Here, we again learn how Paul remained unfazed because of his confident faith in his faithful God. If it was what God wanted, the same God who delivered Paul from the terrible storm, would be able to deliver him from the bite of the poisonous snake. May we have the true knowledge of our faithful God and his dependable promises that can bring us through any and every circumstance in our Christian life.
After settling down in Malta with all the other “saved” shipwrecked people, Paul continued to do his healing (assisted by Dr Luke) and missionary work, almost as if he forgot that he was a Roman prisoner en-route to Rome! In return, the islanders blessed them on their ongoing maritime journey to Rome, providing all the supplied they needed. As we read this account in Malta, on hindsight, we see how this is such a blessing in disguise. What we thought to be a disaster – terrible storm, disastrous shipwreck – actually led to plentiful blessings in Malta which otherwise might have been missed. This unplanned and unexpected visit by Paul and his missionary team to Malta led to blessings in disguise to the chief official Publius and the islanders. God is always in charge in all situations in our lives. Let us, as servants of Jesus and recipients of God’s bountiful blessings, believe that he can use us better even by means of a shipwreck! And he will provide all our needs when we simply trust in him for “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
