Snake Bit?

BAD THINGS HAPPEN

“…O Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

David had such strong faith that the Lord was with him regardless of what bad things were happening to him. This may have come from the confidence he had as a result of his righteousness (just / lawful). But was it his righteousness or the righteousness of God? Most likely David knew it was from God, for he attributed everything good in life to Him. David believed that God’s favor was a shield around him and so he would never have to worry or be afraid.

Paul had bad things happen as well, and his faith was similar. He was beaten, stoned; imprisoned; and he suffered storms; shipwrecks and snakebites, but his faith in God remained true. Paul also refused to believe that God was mad at him because bad things had happened - he knew:

HE WAS NOT CURSED…

“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.” Acts 28:3-4

Sometimes, even when we are doing everything right, a snake may still bite us. And when it does, some people (even ourselves) might think we did something wrong or that we are under a curse. The truth is, God wants to use us in mighty ways, but He wants to get people’s attention. So God allows a ‘snake bite’ now and again so He can show us and everyone else that He can overturn a perceived curse to a blessing. But we must have faith.

…HE WAS FAVORED.

“Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or …fall dead… Seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” Acts 28:5-6

Most people believe that good happens to good people, bad happens to bad people. It’s true, we reap what we sow. But this is not always true in Scriptures, bad things happen to both. The difference is how we deal with it. For Paul, he just shook it off and kept believing God would take care of him and the snakes of the world. This too we must do.