Who is in Charge Here?
Paul was a prisoner on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. That doesn’t seem to put him in too influential a position.
There’s more. The ship he is on encounters a violent storm that causes everyone on board to be endangered of their lives and no one eats for fourteen days. Not good. They finally run the ship aground a ways from shore off an unknown island and the ship is destroyed by the pounding of the sea. Really not good. The soldiers intend to kill the prisoners to keep any from escaping. Remember, Paul is a prisoner. Extra not good.
The commander restrains the soldiers from killing the prisoners because he likes Paul. This seems good. The commander is in charge.
They arrive safely on shore and fortunately the people are kind to them. Did I mention it was winter? It was winter and they have been in the water so a fire is built to help them all dry out. Paul helps to gather the wood but a bundle he picks up contains a highly poisonous snake which bites Paul. These bites are usually fatal. Maybe the devil is in charge here? “You thought you had saved Paul didn’t you, God? Well, I’ve got him now!”
Paul doesn’t die. Paul doesn’t get sick. The people are astounded and start to look at Paul in a new light. They all go to Publius’ house for a good meal. Publius’ father is sick. Paul prays for him and he is healed. This is getting interesting. All of the rest of the sick people on the island come. They aren’t coming to see the soldiers, or the commander, or Publius. They are coming to see Paul and hear the gospel. They are healed. Who’s in charge now?
That’s right, God is in charge. Just as He always is.
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