What steps can we take to trust God's protection in challenging situations? Seeing God’s Shield in Paul’s Viper Encounter Acts 28:6 — “The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” Paul shook the viper into the fire and kept serving. His calm confidence offers a roadmap for us. Step 1: Remember God’s Track Record • Paul had already survived shipwreck (Acts 27) and countless threats. • Psalm 34:19 — “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” • Rehearse your own past rescues; gratitude fuels fresh trust. Step 2: Cling to His Promises • Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:6; 2 Timothy 4:18 all guarantee that God’s protective hand is active, not theoretical. • Write a short list of promises and keep them visible; speak them aloud when fear rises. Step 3: Stay Focused on the Mission • Paul didn’t let the snake bite distract him; he kept gathering sticks and later prayed for the sick (Acts 28:8-9). • Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” • When we pursue kingdom assignments, God assumes responsibility for our safety until the task is done. Step 4: Replace Fear with Faith-Filled Action • Instead of freezing, Paul shook the snake “into the fire” (Acts 28:5). • Proverbs 29:25; 2 Corinthians 5:7 remind us that fear paralyzes, faith mobilizes. • Practical move: identify one concrete step of obedience you can take today; act on it. Step 5: Draw Near in Prayer and Worship • Philippians 4:6-7 — “Do not be anxious about anything… the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” • Worship aligns our perspective: the Almighty who created the serpent also commands its venom. Step 6: Encourage Others with Your Testimony • Paul’s unhurt arm became a sermon; islanders listened to the gospel. • Revelation 12:11 highlights overcoming “by the word of their testimony.” • Share how God protected you; it reinforces your faith and strengthens the community. Living These Steps Today 1. Journal yesterday’s provisions. 2. Memorize two protection promises. 3. Serve someone in need. 4. Replace each fearful thought with declared Scripture. 5. Sing a worship song when anxiety knocks. 6. Tell one friend about a time God shielded you. These simple, Scripture-rooted habits cultivate the same settled confidence Paul displayed on Malta, enabling us to trust God’s protection no matter what strikes. |
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