Safe

Text: Acts 28:1-10

Theme: God brings us to safety as we follow and trust Him.

Key verses: “Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people on the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, ‘A murderer, no doubt!…’ But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed” (v. 1-5). “As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip” (v. 8-10).

What I believe God said to me: Paul was safe from the storm, safe from the snake, safe for the sick, and safe for the sail. God brings us into safety for a purpose. Paul’s greater purpose was to appear before Caesar. That’s why he was safe from the storm and snake. But Paul was a minister of the gospel. The ministry of serving me and others was his life. I also brought him into a safe place so he could minister unhindered to the people on that island. It’s important to note that there is no mention of Paul wanting or praying for safety for himself. The safety I brought to him was for the sake of my glory and the good of others. How many times have you prayed to be kept safe, Dwayne? Nothing wrong with asking for safety, mind you. However, the more important and telling question is your motive for asking for it. Is it merely self-centered or is it for my glory and others’ good? This isn’t your typical Sunday School theology. This isn’t for shallow children; this kind of mind and heart-set requires mature and selfless faith and humility. It requires dying to yourself, denying yourself each day, and taking up your cross to follow me. It requires your full surrender to my will above your own. I never promised you safety in the places I will lead you. I only promised I would never leave nor forsake you. My command to you and to my followers is to go, even to the uttermost parts of the earth. And as you obey me and boldly go where I lead you, know this: Nothing can harm you or touch you unless it first go through me. You are in Christ, who is in me, God, the Father. There is no safer, more fulfilling place to be than in the center of my will and in the palm of my mighty hand.

What I said to God: Lord Jesus, You are my Creator. You are my God. How could I live even one day or take even even one breath without You? I cannot. I choose today to follow You closely, to move when You move, to go where You go, to say only what You speak through me. I claim the filling of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me when my primary motives relate to my safety and satisfaction, rather than to Your glory and honor. Forgive me when I think more of myself than I do others. Paul had his mind fixed on his destination and ministry to those around him. He never questioned why You brought him into such undesirable places as a cold and remote island. He never complained when he had to minister even in the most dire of circumstances. I want to be more like Paul, because he was more like Christ. I pray for my family and our NLW staff today, that they too would yield their days and moments to You, almighty King and Savior.