God Provides In Our Darkest Tribulations & Circumstances

One Sunday morning, a pastor woke up and decided he just needed a break. He called in sick, told the associate pastor to cover for him, and drove out to a distant golf course where no one would recognize him.

Up in heaven, an angel saw what was happening and said to God, “Are you going to let him get away with this?”

God said, “Watch.”

The pastor tees up on the first hole—hole in one! Second hole—hole in one! By the end of the game, he’s shot 18 holes with the best score in history.

The angel, confused, says, “Lord… why bless him like that after he skipped church?”

God smiles and says, “Who’s he gonna tell?”

Historical/Cultural Context -

Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Acts is addressed to “Theophilus,” about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” about Jesus.

Biblical Text -

Acts 28:1–10 NKJV

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 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. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 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 hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - God Will Take Control Of All Your Circumstances, Let Them Point To Jesus & Know That He Will Provide For You.

Life Point- Let God take control of your circumstances and trials.

Exegetical -

Acts 28:1–3 NLT

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.

Homiletical -

We pick up again when Paul has been shipwrecked on the island of Malta. He had told the Romans and the ship workers that no harm would come to them, though the ship would be lost.

You know what happened? No harm came to the 260+ folks that were on that ship. They all made it to shore on the island of Malta.

You see Paul was on this ship under guard because he had appealed his case from Jerusalem to Caesar, for he had citizenship rights because he was a Roman citizen.

Paul had told them from the beginning of this journey not to sail because it was a bad time of year for sailing. It was winter, but the owner of the ship said it would be alright. So whom did they listen to? They didn’t listen to Paul who had a revelation from God concerning this, but they listened to the owner of the ship.

Which turned out to be the wrong thing to do, because they ignored God’s revelation. But God in his mercy got them out of the situation anyway, though they had to go through some hard times to do it.

Now they have all experienced God’s mercy, including Paul, that they made it to the island. They were a bit water logged, but they made it.

So the natives build a large fire for them to get warm. Paul was helping to gather wood for this fire and a serpent comes out and not just bites him, but fastens on his hand.

Now, as I read this I am kind of freaked out, because I can’t stand snakes. To me the only good one is a dead one. I don’t know the difference between a poisonous snake and a non-poisonous snake. I don’t like them and I stay away from them as much as humanly possible.

I was working under my house one day running a power line for a receptacle and as I am crawling out my wife says there is a snake following you. This little snake had apparently been following me out from under the house.

To say I was freaked out would be kind, because I was freaked out. In case you didn’t hear me before. I don’t like snakes.

So what does Paul do? Does he flip out that it is a poisonous snake? Nope, he just shakes it off into the fire.

Why? Because he knew God was with Him and that His will would be accomplished one way or the other.

If he dies he gets to be with the Lord, if not he gets to serve the Lord.

Isn’t it strange how we are today.

We come out of these great circumstances and trials and thank God we did, even though during that trial it wasn’t fun and we are not very patient during it sometimes, but God brings us through and then right after that trial another one hits us.

Then we freak out.

Not so with Paul. He doesn’t freak out he just deals with the situation and continues on.

I have heard and have even said, how much more can I take God? This is more than I can bare.

I have some good news for you. It is more than you can bare. But God can help you bare it. He can walk with you through it.

Let God take control of your circumstances and trials.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

James 1:2–9 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.

You ever wonder why while James is talking to people hear about wisdom right after talking about trials? Because when you are in the midst of a trial, you need wisdom to get through it.

You don’t need the worlds wisdom, but God’s wisdom to get through the rough times. This is what Paul relies on during trials and it is what we need to rely on as well.

Illustration -

During the Great Depression, a family faced severe challenges, including hunger and despair. One night, they gathered around the table, and instead of focusing on what they didn't have, they prayed together. They asked God for guidance and strength. The next day, a neighbor knocked on their door with sacks of groceries, They had felt moved by God to do this. This act of reminded them that surrendering their worries to God allowed Him to orchestrate support in their trials.

Life Point - Let All Circumstances Point To Jesus

Exegetical -

Acts 28:4–6 NLT

The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Homiletical -

You know people aren’t stupid.

You know as well as I do, if you don’t have treatment for a snake bite you will die from it. That is the natural progression of things.

These people were Gentiles and pagans, they believed in many gods and this particular snake must have been one of the most poisonous on the Island of Malta because when Paul didn’t die they thought him to be one of their pagan gods.

This was a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel about Jesus. That Jesus protected Paul from being hurt. Jesus was Paul’s protection in this situation.

How many times has God protected us through a trial or circumstance and we don’t even recognize Him. You know that time in the car you almost got hit. Or running behind and if you hadn’t been you probably would have ended up in that accident you saw?

How about thanking God when you do end up in the accident because it could have been worse and you are still here with us?

Use every trial and tribulation as an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:12–14 NLT

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

1 Peter 3:15 NLT

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

2 Corinthians 13:4 NLT

Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

Illustration -

John Bunyan wrote 'The Pilgrim's Progress' while imprisoned for his faith. His imprisonment presented a trial, but it also birthed one of the most significant literary works in Christian history. Through his suffering, Bunyan shared the Gospel in a way a unique way. It goes beyond his time and continues to inspire believers today. His past enables us to see our tribulations as a chance to proclaim Christ in every circumstance.

Life Point - God Will provide For You In All Circumstances

Exegetical -

Acts 28:7–10 NLT

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 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.

Homiletical -

So Publius received Paul, his entourage and others to his large estate and welcomed them.

Publius had a father and his father was quite ill with dysentery

dysentery is not a fun disease to have. It's a serious type of diarrhea where there is blood associated with it. It often comes with a fever, stomach cramps, and sometimes feeling sick or throwing up. It's usually caused by an infection from bacteria or parasites and often happens in places with poor cleanliness or unsafe water.

So this is not something that can be mistaken for the man just happened to feel better when Paul prayed for him, no this was a miraculous healing. There was no mistaking this healing.

They were there on the island of Malta throughout the winter and for three months Paul healed the sick and preached the Gospel.

Did you know God still heals today? Sometimes through doctors and sometimes through miracles but He still heals. But even better than that, is that he heals the rift between Him and man through Christ Jesus.

You see you can get healed from a physical ailment and you know what will still happen? You are still, if the Lord waits, going to die someday. We all have a date to stand before God.

No the better thing than physical healing is spiritual healing. It is salvation and freedom from sin that only comes through Christ Jesus.

If you have never given your life to Christ, perhaps you need to do that today.

Notice something else in this scripture. Due to God’s healing and saving power the people of Malta gave them all they needed to sail to Rome.

God has a provision for us even in dire circumstances. He will use people to supply that provision, we have to have faith and understanding of this great truth.

I could ask each and every Christian, who has been a Christian for a while, to give me one story how God has provided for them over the years and I guarantee they will have at least one story and many more to go along with it.

God will provide for you in all tribulations and trials. In all circumstances, we can trust God and His provision. When everything has fallen apart, God will provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually for His people.

Matthew 6:26 NLT

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Illustration -

In the wilderness, when the Israelites found themselves in desperation, famine struck. But God provided them with manna from heaven, sustaining them not just physically, but spiritually. This miraculous provision reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, God is present to deliver us. Like the Israelites, we may face uncertainty and fear, but our faith reassures us that God will meet our needs, no matter how dire our circumstances may seem.

Life Principle– God Will Take Control Of All Your Circumstances, Let Them Point To Jesus & Know That He Will Provide For You.

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