Tag: snake bite
Safety in the will of God!
Scripture reading for November 17th: Acts 27-28
Do you really believe that God can cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him? (Romans 8:28) Today, we read about events in Paul’s journey to Rome for trial before Caesar. These events were dangerous, exciting, and could have been fatal. But God worked them for good and His purposes stood through all the trouble!
The trip from Caesarea to Rome was nearly 2000 miles by ship. It was decided that Paul would travel by a Roman navy ship in the fall season when travel in that direction was more difficult. As they made their way north, the centurion in charge of the prisoners, Julius, gave special favor to Paul by allowing his friends to minister to his needs. (Acts 27:1-3) As travel became more difficult, Paul warned the centurion and crew of impending danger and possible loss of life. They ignored Paul’s advice and sailed on. A great storm hit the ship and tossed it around for days. The crew threw the cargo overboard and after more days of battering, all gave up hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20)
Paul, again directed with a word from the Lord, encouraged the crew and passengers. He told them that an angel of God had given him a word, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” The ship would be destroyed but God would spare the passengers and crew! All 276 men on board made it safely to shore when they followed Paul’s advice! (Acts 27:42-44)
As Paul was warming himself over a fire after swimming ashore, a viper jumped from the fire and fastened itself on Paul’s hand. (Acts 28:1-6) Paul quickly shook the snake off into the fire and no swelling or death occurred. This opened the islanders to Paul’s Gospel message and he began to minister to those present with miracles of healing!
When you are committed to God, life takes on a new quality of supernatural direction and hope. God truly does work all things for His will! We can go through shipwrecks, storms, and even snake-attacks and trust that all works out for our good and His glory! Are you ready for today’s episode in your life?
Everything is working for good!
Scripture reading for November 15th: Acts 27-28
The trip from Caesarea to Rome was nearly 2000 miles by ship. It was decided that Paul would travel by a Roman navy ship in the fall season when travel in that direction was more difficult. As they made their way north, the centurion in charge of the prisoners, Julius, gave special favor to Paul by allowing his friends to minister to his needs. (Acts 27:1-3) As travel became more difficult, Paul warned the centurion and crew of impending danger and possible loss of life. They ignored Paul’s advice and sailed on. A great storm hit the ship and tossed it around for days. The crew threw the cargo overboard and after more days of battering, all gave up hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20)
Paul, again encouraged the crew and passengers. He told them that an angel of God had given him a word, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” The ship would be destroyed but God would spare the passengers and crew! All 276 men on board made it safely to shore when they followed Paul’s advice! (Acts 27:42-44)
As if the shipwreck and storm were not enough of a trial, Paul was warming himself over a fire on the beach after swimming ashore. Suddenly, a viper jumped from the fire and fastened itself on Paul’s hand. (Acts 28:1-6) Paul quickly shook the snake off into the fire and no swelling or death occurred. This opened the islanders to Paul’s message and he began to minister to those present with miracles of healing! God had placed him on this island of Malta for three months to minister the Gospel to those there! He truly does know how to work everything out for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes!
When you are committed to God, life takes on a new quality of supernatural direction and hope. We can go through shipwrecks, storms, and even snake-attacks without fear or worry! What an exciting supernatural life! Today God is working all the trials, troubles, and problems that we have for our good and His glory!
Ancient snake-bite remedy!
Scripture Reading for February 17th: Numbers 21-15
I hate snakes! When I was little, Mom often asked me to take lunch and a drink to my Dad who was working out in the field. This particular day in late June, he was cultivating corn about a half-mile from the house. I was walking along the path, minding my own business, when I almost stepped on a large bull snake! In my fear, I threw the water jar and Dad’s lunch at the snake and took off running for the house. Mom consoled me and then sent me back to retrieve the bottle and lunch. I complained and grumbled. Thankfully, the snake was long gone!
In our reading today, the Israelites were doing what they did best–grumbling! As they grumbled against Moses and God, God sent poisonous snakes which bit the complainers. (Numbers 21:5) The Israelites then asked Moses to pray for them and confessed their sin. (Numbers 21:7) God answered Moses with some strange instructions. He was to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole in the camp. Anyone bitten who looked at the bronze snake on the pole would be healed! (Numbers 21:8-9)
What can we learn from this ancient story? The first lesson is that sin causes death! God has repeated this over and over but His people seem to forget! Another lesson is that grumbling against leadership isn’t pleasing to God. A third lesson is that when sin’s consequences come, we run to our leaders for help and prayer–and God does answer.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus used this story right before the most famous verse in all of Scripture. The snake that was lifted on the pole is a picture of Jesus Christ crucified. He was made sin so that we might be healed from the serpent’s poisonous bite. If we will look with faith to His finished work on the cross, we will be saved and healed! God loves His people and wants to save them from the poison of sin’s bite and the consequence of sin–death! (John 3:14-18) If we refuse the remedy provided by God, then we will die! This ancient snake-bite remedy turns out to be the current remedy for all mankind! I am sure grateful that I have looked at Jesus Christ with faith and received the healing from my own sin of grumbling, complaining and rebellion! Have you done the same? (Romans 10:9-10)