the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 28:1-16
God put feelings of kindness in the hearts of the heathen people on the isle of Malta (as previously in the heart of the centurion, Julius; v. 2; Acts 27:3). They welcome and comfort the castaways. In the midst of these people, the Lord is pleased to make His servant known by means of a miracle. The apostle, who did not consider it beneath his dignity to collect wood for the fire, is bitten by a viper and does not suffer any harm. It was one of the signs which were to "follow" the disciples. Another sign was the laying on of hands on sick people in order to heal them (Mark 16:17-18). The kindness of the "barbarous people" of Malta found its reward quickly. All the sick people on the island, starting with the father of Publius, are healed by the power of God. We like to think that many of these people also found healing of the soul. Thus the opposition of the Enemy only served to sow the seed of the Gospel in a new land.
Paul’s journey is at an end. Before bringing anything whatever to his brethren in Rome, it is he himself who takes courage from their brotherly fellowship. The youngest believer can thus be the cause of joy and encouragement for a servant of God.
