Acts 28:3-6 ESV
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
I have read this passage in the Book of Acts many times, but something struck me when I read it again recently. When Paul picked up the bundle of sticks and the viper latched on to him, why didn’t he panic? Most of us, if not all of us, would have been jumping up and down, violently shaking our hand trying to get the snake off, and then worrying about the poison that was now streaming through our veins. Instead, Paul calmly shook the snake into the fire and continued with his business without giving it a second thought. How could Paul remain so calm?
As I contemplated this, I remembered something that happened to Paul earlier. Two times before this event, Paul received a word from the Lord that he would stand before Caesar in Rome (Acts 23:11 and Acts 27:33). I imagine then, that when the snake attached itself to Paul, he knew he would not die because he was on the island of Malta. He had not arrived in Rome yet. Paul knew what God’s word was for him, he trusted God to keep His promise, and, therefore, was not concerned about whatever problems he faced along the way whether they be storms, shipwrecks, or poisonous snakes.
After considering Paul’s response to his situation, I had to ask myself, “How do I usually respond to my problems?” Do I worry or fret over the situation? Do I constantly try to find ways to help God and solve the problem? Or do I try to develop enough faith hoping that God will come through for me? If we are honest with ourselves though we are all probably guilty of at least one of these responses.
However, a better response might be to follow Paul’s example. As we contemplate this coming year, let’s spend time with the Lord and allow Him to speak to us about what He wants to do in our lives. What is His word for us? Then, no matter what problem comes our way, we can calmly and without worry shake off the problem and trust God to keep His promise to us.