ANOINTED HANDS (5)

“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 on his HAND” – Act 28:3

It is usual for the devil and his agents to attack ANOINTED HANDS, but always in vain: “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 on his HAND…But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm” (Acts 28: 3-5). God’s anointing upon our hands will shake off every agent of evil and destruction into the fire, and we shall suffer no harm, in Jesus’ name! The preceding chapter 27 records the journey of Paul from Caesarea heading to Rome, and how God helped him to navigate life’s storms and save the lives of all the voyagers, though they suffered a shipwreck and were stranded for a time in Malta.

Although he was a prisoner, Paul turned the delay into a blessing. He maximised the opportunity to minister to the islanders. God’s favour ensured that the stranded voyagers received warm welcome, kindness of the natives, and refuge from the rain and cold (v.2). In order for them to keep warm, the great apostle with a servant heart, gathered wood for the fire, even though there probably were scores of people among the 276 passengers and crew, more suited for the job. Immediately, an agent of destruction, a viper, targeted Paul’s anointed hands. That he was faithful to God and living as His true servant, did not keep him from this trial. His humble service was met by a viper, which didn’t just nibble on Paul – but “fastened on his hand” (v.3). Paul didn’t let this bother him. He didn’t scream, “Why God?” or “Why me?”

The on-lookers were insinuating that this prisoner was probably a murderer, and justice – Dikee, the Greek goddess of justice – had finally caught up with him (v.4). But Paul’s reaction exuded dominion: Calm and unafraid, “he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm” (v.5). He knew better than to be afraid. God didn’t preserve him from the storm just to let him perish by a snake. He was protected. It was promised he must bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). It wasn’t so much that nothing would stop Paul as it was that nothing would stop God’s promise from being fulfilled. When the on-lookers waited long for him to swell up and die, but saw no harm come to him, “they changed their minds and said that he was a god” (v.6b). They were extremely impressed that Paul was miraculously unharmed by the snake-bite!

The reaction of these natives was a typically human reaction. The had to see Paul in extremes. Either he was terribly evil or he was a god! In truth, Paul was neither a criminal deserving punishment nor a god. He was simply an anointed child and servant of God who survived a shipwreck and snake-bite! We must be careful about accepting or permitting labels that others may ascribe to us – good or bad. What’s primary is who and what God calls us.

In contrast to the misery of the previous two weeks at sea, God gave Paul and his companions a season of relief and replenishment. They were warmly received and hosted by Publius, a leading citizen of the Island. However, Paul’s Anointed Hands was soon engaged in ministry: “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his HAND on him and healed him” (v.8). God gave the healing, but Paul made himself ready and available for the task. In addition, “the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed” (v.9).

Paul’s anointed hands, which a while ago threw the viper into physical fire, now kindled the Fire of a Healing Revival in Malta! God is faithful. His plans are unstoppable. He works all things out for our good! God is able to anoint and guide our hands to ignite healing and revival fires!