Acts 28:1-10
https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/28.html
Paul Ashore on Malta
1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 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. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 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; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Study Notes These will be added as I am able.
28:1 The island of Malta is 60 miles south of Sicily. It had excellent harbors and was ideally located for trade.
28:2 The islanders of Malta were of Phoenician ancestry.
28:3 God had promised safe passage to Paul (27:23-25), and he would let nothing stop his servant. The poisonous viper that bit Paul was unable to harm him. Our lives are in God's hands, to continue on or to come to an end in his good timing. God still had work for Paul to do.
28:7, 8 Paul continued to minister to others, even as a shipwrecked prisoner. On this trip alone, his centurion, the chief official of Malta, and many others were affected. It is no wonder that the gospel spread like wildfire.
There is nowhere that God's not at work. God is at work everywhere, even in Malta. Remember, God is infinite (outside of time and space). So am I surprised that Paul worked miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit in Malta? Nope. It is a matter of recognizing God's presence, acknowledging Him in prayer, and offering faithful obedience to Him. No pity party for Paul about being shipwrecked. Instead, he continued to bless those around him with the work of God, and for God to bless him in return through the kindness and generosity of the people of Malta. Blessings could happen here or where you are. They probably are already underway. Seek God's work and you will see.
Heavenly Father, we pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit of Truth that You sent to keep us connected in You. Thank You for all the blessings You reveal to us today. Thank You for increasing our understanding through Your Word. And thank You for working through us to be a blessing to others. In Jesus' name and for His glory, Amen.
A Song: https://youtu.be/aiyQsHKnCvc
Have a blessed day.
Can you imagine hosting almost 300 shipwrecked people? But God blessed the people of Malta for their kindness and generosity..."blessings everywhere I go"...that is so like our Abba Father...wanting to pour out showers of blessings on his children....turning our negatives into positives...how could we ever fail to recognize the mighty hand of God always providing our every need...
Blessings to you and yours....
We ask, the world is so big and so evil what can one person do? ..”Acknowledge God in prayer…” and practice your gift of faith in Him! He will take care of everything else! Thank you for your faithful study.