Preaching Through a Misfortune

Preaching Through a Misfortune

Scripture reading Acts 28:1-10
Focus verse: Acts 28:3-6 - "Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happened to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god."

Did you ever become a topic of discussion because of your misfortune? It’s true, people will always try to find a reason to explain why you are going through such misfortunes. You may be accused falsely when you pass through some troubles of life. Paul gets bitten by a very dangerous viper snake which fastened itself on his hand and hung on it. The people observe this and branded him a murderer who is getting justice for his killings. But Paul instead of arguing with them, shook the snake into the fire. They wait to see him swell up or fall dead but their waiting goes in vain. When the waiting went beyond, they changed their minds and called Paul a god. 

Paul knew that whatever accusations put on him were wrong, and that he had done nothing wrong to deserve such punishment. He knew that the snake bite was nothing to do with his character so He didn’t waste time arguing with them but looked upon God to do His will. God showed himself through this tragedy by not allowing Paul to swell or die. Later, after the people had waited for long and nothing was happening to Paul, they changed their language and called Paul a god! This incident later gave Paul the opportunity to preach to the gospel and heal their sick. God used the snake bite to introduce Paul to the island of Malta. Sometimes our misfortunes are God’s planned platforms for His gospel to be preached through us.

John 9:3 – “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” God is always at work in our lives even when the worst happens to us. He does cause or plan evil to our lives but can allow evil upon our lives and work through it for our good.  He allowed Joseph’s brothers to plot evil against his life but later worked through that evil to save the same brothers and their father. Genesis 50:20-21 – You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. 

God bless you,

Pastor/Director Eliazar Wambo, 

Bethesda Faith Ministries & Makira Baptist Church