3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
There is great protection in staying on track to do what God wants you to do. Paul showed up in Malta and though the people were very kind and hospitable, they didn’t believe in Paul’s God. As Paul was unwavering in his task, appointed by God, he faced many hardships along the way. God even used those hardships to enhance the message. Paul was bit by a poisonous snake, but he didn’t swell-up and die, he continued to stay on point with the gospel. But even then, the people wanted to believe, they just didn’t believe the right thing. It’s very important we help people to the truth, not just a willingness to believe “something.” People need to believe the right thing and follow the right one, Jesus.
