Healing Waters - Day 57

God Can Redeem Even Terrible Situations For His Glory - Acts 28:7-9

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LaDonna 0:00

Welcome to Healing Waters – The Podcasts! 

I am LaDonna Sanders, here to remind you that God wants you well in your mind, body, soul, and spirit! 

III John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

Join me as we check out what good news our creator has to say in today's Healing Waters Devotional! 

LaDonna 0:27.9

Healing Waters - Day 57

Acts 28:7-9 - 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. 

En route to Rome, Paul has survived a storm at sea, a shipwreck, and a deadly snake bite. In reading Acts 27, I can tell you that these events were not part of God's original plan for Paul, but it does illustrate how even in inconvenient and uncomfortable situations, God can still get the glory.  In Acts 27, Paul had tried to explain to the ship's captain that it was too dangerous to sail. His warnings, however, were ignored, and now Paul is stranded on the island of Malta. The islanders think he's a god because he did not swell up and fall over dead behind the snake bite. He is treated well and invited to the estate of Publius, the highest-ranking Roman official on the island. During his three-day visit, Paul lays hands-on and prays for the father of his Host, and the man is healed of a fever and dysentery, which is an intestinal infection that can be caused by bacteria, virus, or a parasite. God's healing power is on full display in Malta.  Hearing of this miraculous deed draws many other islanders to seek healing. This trip to Malta was not on Paul's scheduled itinerary, but God used this opportunity to reveal himself to these people. Our devotional text says, "so when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed!"

Life, in general, is full of minor inconveniences, and flexibility is a valuable trait to have, but what do you do, and where do you go when unexpected, overwhelming, and sometimes horrific situations occur? A sea storm, a shipwreck, a snake bite, and being stranded on an island full of strangers is not a minor inconvenience. For most of us, those events would fall under the category of traumatic! Was Paul scared or overwhelmed? The scripture does not say. What it does tell us is in Acts 18:9 and Acts 23:11, is that the Lord spoke to Paul in the night and explained to him that  He would not die and that he would make it to Rome and bear witness there also.  Paul had an assignment and a relationship with God! Those are things that will sustain you when trauma hits! 

I am pretty familiar with trauma, more acquainted honestly than I would like to be, but I believe my understanding of God's love, His Word, and His ability to take care of me has grown leaps because of it. Over many storms,  I've learned to take my trauma to the altar in prayer. To talk to God about every part of what has happened and how it has made me feel. I have learned how to allow God to be my refuge. I acknowledge what has happened, how it made me feel, and then I wait for His comfort and direction. Sometimes it's immediate, and then there are times that more is required of me, like reflection and forgiveness. Sometimes the situation also involves repentance and a deeper dive into scripture to see what God's Word has to say about the situation. When the pain seems unbearable, I spend time in His presence, just worshiping, sometimes crying until the burden is lifted, or at least my understanding is enlightened. My friends, God is a refuge in the time of trouble, and Jesus Christ can relate to trauma. He loves us, and He sees it all!  The Lord has promised never to leave us nor forsake us," and  He wants to assure you today that He can be trusted. He does not and cannot lie!  He keeps His promises, and the Bible tells us the He can redeem even terrible situations for His glory. 

Psalm 145:17 – The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will hear their cry and save them. The Lord preserves all who love Him. But all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praises of the Lord. And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever. 

Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? 

John 16:33 – "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Paul could have asked, why is all of this happening to me? I've asked that question many times! Paul could have taken a different stance about the circumstances and allowed bitterness to set up in his heart, but he did not. You will not find one incident of Paul complaining or expressing his frustration in our devotional text or the chapters before and after.  Paul stayed focused on his assignment. He knew God was with Him, evidenced by the fact that he had survived each of the events, and an angel of God had spoken to him in Acts 27: 23-24, telling him not to be afraid and that He would indeed stand before Caesar in Rome. 

Friends, please understand me. You have a right to your feelings, don't let anyone tell you differently. You also have a right to express them, especially when things are not going well!  I only want to encourage you to bring those complaints and feelings to God. Bring the Lord your pain and trouble. He is the Healer, and He cares about you! Please don't hold it in, don't defer, don't suppress the hurt or grief,  and don't let the situation make you bitter! Bitterness will infect every area of your life if you let it! It's deadly, it's a blessing blocker, and it will make you sick spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Today, friends, let's do what Paul did in our devotional text; let's rest in God's love and faithfulness towards us. Let's believe His promises and stay focus on our assignments. Let's trust the Lord to redeem the situations in our lives for His glory and get us to our appointed destination.  

Let's Pray

Lord, I thank you today for your faithfulness. I thank you for peace that surpasses our natural understanding. Lord, I thank you because we have accepted you as Lord and Savior, that our times are in your hands. You have good plans for our lives, plans to give us a hope and a future, and we pray that your purpose prevails above else. Cover us with the blood of Jesus, forgive us our sins, heal our wounded hearts, and lighten our path. Father, give us the grace,  strength, and the courage to endure until the end, for your glory! Lord, we pause today to say thank you, thank you for your love, thank you for your word, and thank you for Son, Jesus Christ. We trust you, Lord, and we believe that you can and are working all things together for our good. So, Father, release your peace and presence over our lives right now,  and save us to the uttermost, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen! 

LaDonna  00:10:27.7

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Thank you for listening and remember that God loves you and wants you well in your mind, body, soul, and spirit.  God Bless!