Acts 28: 1-10 Paul Escapes A Snakebite & Also Heals Others

When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.  The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen 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 welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.  And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.  After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured.  They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

In the Old Covenant, people were judged by their deeds.  When the ship transporting Paul and his party landed on the island of Malta, as Paul was preparing a fire, he was bit by a viper and lived! When he was bit, the people assumed he must be a run-away murder because judgment was now on him.  But when they saw he lived, the concluded he must be from God.  Because he appeared to have God with him, they come to him for healing and were hospitable to him and his guests.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, I don't necessarily have a snake bite, but I have been bit by the power of sin.  Praise be to You who by dying for me and raising from the dead,  You have healed my sin affliction once and for all and nobody can take me from Your hand.  Amen and Amen.