Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Acts 28 and Psalm 96

Finally, in Acts 28, God delivered the apostle Paul safely to Rome. And his arrival was certainly a testimony to God’s sovereign protection and care.

The Lord’s miraculous protection caused every person aboard that ship to be washed safely ashore on the island of Malta. Even being shipwrecked on the island was a miracle in itself, given how wildly the ship was driven along by the wind and how tiny Malta is in the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea. Then, as if a shipwreck wasn’t enough, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake while making a fire. But, once again God protected him, and he was unharmed by the venom. It was as though the powers of hell were doing everything they could to end Paul’s life, but they were powerless against the protecting power of God. So Paul and his travelling companions continued their journey under God’s care, and finally arrived in the great City of Rome.

I am greatly struck today by how faithful Paul was to his calling. Despite all of his troubles and sufferings, Paul refused to stop serving God. He could so easily have been cowed into silence by the shock of his near-death experiences. He could have fallen prey to the temptation to blame God for not giving him an easier ride! And yet Paul simply continued to serve the Lord wherever he was.

On Malta, he laid hands on Publius’ father and ministered the Lord’s healing. When he was safely on the mainland, some believers in Puteoli invited him to stay for a week (probably so he could preach on the next Lord’s Day) and Paul managed to convince the centurion to allow this. And then, once in Rome, despite being chained to a soldier 24 hours a day, Paul found a way to gather the Jewish leaders of the City to the house where he was held, and he ministered the Gospel to them.

Luke’s record of Paul’s ministry under house-arrest in Rome ends abruptly in Acts 28:30-31:

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance!

Why so abrupt an ending? Well simply because there is no end to the story. Paul’s story continued in Rome where, according to Church history, he was tried by Nero, found not guilty and released, until years later he was arrested again and put to death. But the same story is repeated again and again throughout the history of the church. Trusting in Jesus, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Father, the word of God will continue to spread undefeated and will continue to change lives for the glory of God. The Book of Acts really is a never-ending story.

Life application: What chapter of Acts will you write with your life today? How will you be faithful to the mission God has given you to complete? Whatever it is, remember that you have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to help you accomplish it. So be strong, take heart, be of good courage, and write your chapter!