March 9: THE SWINGING PENDULUM OF HUMAN OPINION

So when the natives [of Malta] saw the [viper] hanging from [Paul’s] 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 him to live.” Acts 28:4

These pagans definitely had a sense of justice. In addition, they had no doubt that Paul was a murderer fleeing from justice. And they certainly knew their island well enough to recognize the deadly viper that had latched onto Paul’s hand.

But [Paul] shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. v.5

God’s hand upon His people on behalf of others is truly amazing. The battered ship that had been carrying 276 passengers was headed toward Italy. The Roman centurion in charge of the soldiers and prisoners viewed Paul with favor, treating him kindly (27:3), and later—after two weeks of tempestuous travel woes—made a decision that had allowed every one of the 276 on board to make their way safely to shore—all because he wanted to help Paul (27:41-44).

However, [the natives] were expecting that [Paul] would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. 28:6a

You can be absolutely sure that those natives were watching Paul with intense interest! 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. (6b)

‘Whoop!’ all the way to the left, then ‘whoop!’ all the way to the right . . .  The pendulum of human opinion tends to swing just as far in one direction as it had swung in the other. Each of us are susceptible to distorted thinking if we do not submit unto the Lord all of our ways, including—and especially—the way we think.

Your ears shall ear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Fortunately for the people of Malta as well as everyone who had been aboard the sailing vessel, Paul’s focus was on the Lord and how he could best represent Him to those around him. Chapter 27 is an action-packed story of the faithfulness of God. Chapter 28 reveals God’s continuing faithfulness as Paul gave hardly a thought to the snake or what the natives thought of him. The island’s leader, Publius, regarded Paul with kindness just as the Centurion had. Such favor is a gift of God (see Daniel 1:9). Once again, a platform was afforded Paul, who missed no opportunity to bring glory to his God. What blessings to the people! And what a vivid contrast to the proud Saul of the past, so filled with misguided zeal! Paul’s warfare with himself had brought victory.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5