WHEN TROUBLE STRIKES

PROCLAMATION

“And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.”  Acts 28:3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the acts of the apostles of Jesus, The Christ, as written by Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Paul was arrested by the Roman commander, (Acts 21:33) and ordered taken to the barracks, (Acts 22:24) he underwent a series of trials.  Paul testified in his own defense before the Sanhedrin council, (Acts 23:1-10) before Governor Felix, (Acts 24:10-21) before Governor Festus, (Acts 25:6-11) and before King Agrippa. (Acts 26:1-31)  As a Roman citizen, Paul requested an appeal before Caesar, and it was granted. (Acts 26:32)  As they sailed to Rome, the winds were not in their favor. (Acts 27:4)  Paul warned them not to continue sailing but they did not listen to him. (Acts 27:9-11)  The winds turned into a violent storm. (Acts 27:13-20)  After two weeks at sea in the storm, they struck a sandbar, and the ship was broken into pieces. (Acts 27:27-41)  The crew and the prisoners all made it safely to shore. (Acts 27:44)  Altogether there were 276 people on board the ship. (Acts 27:37)  The people on the island of Malta welcomed them, and helped them to build a fire because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:1-3)  The Apostle Paul was gathering wood for the fire when he was bitten by a poisonous snake.  However, he did not die; he just shook the snake off, and kept on working. (Acts 28:5-6)  The people on the island initially thought that gods were against Paul because even though he survived the shipwreck, he was bitten by a poisonous snake.  After he did not die, they thought that he must be a god. (Acts 4-6)  Eventually, Paul healed Chief Publius’ father and then healed every sick person on the island before continuing on to Rome. (Acts 28:7-9)

 

APPLICATION

We all go through various trials and tribulations along this journey called life.  At times bad storms will occur and disrupt everyone’s life, even the lives of good people.  We just need to keep the faith, speak the truth, and keep on doing the right thing.  When trouble strikes, first, don’t panic because that will only make things worse.  Second, just shake it off and count it all as joy (James 1:2) because God can use it for our good. (Romans 8:28)  Third, keep on working for The Lord.  He did not say that we would not have any troubles in our life.  He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  There will be storms in our life, but He will be with us during the storms, and He has the power to control the storms. (Mark 4:39)  So, when trouble strikes, don’t panic, keep the faith, shake it off, and keep on doing what thus says The Lord.