Acts 28:6 – Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
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Look closely at the picture revealed by our Text for Today. Paul had just been bitten by a venomous viper, which he had simply shaken off into the fire. He then proceeded on about the business at hand; living. The native people on the island knew what kind of snake it was; obviously one possessing a fast-acting venom that quickly impaired and even killed its victims. But this was not so with Paul. With Paul, something was different. Instead of swelling from the venom, and then convulsing and dying, especially after a “great while” had passed, he simply kept on living. Keep in mind that Paul was a Pharisee among the Pharisees. He was well educated in Old Testament and the Law. He knew the Old Covenant well. He knew his authority, that “no weapon” formed against him would prosper, and he stood on his faith.
My dear reader friend, that should be the mindset and faith in which we, too, live every day of our lives. When a faithful witness of God’s Covenant stood forth, speaking forth the Word of God in faith, God never failed to clothe them with truth. Consider the following examples. Noah spoke truth and was faithful, the flood came, but Noah was clothed the proof – the ark. Abraham spoke truth and was faithful, the time for sacrifice on Moriah came, but Abraham was clothed with proof – God provided a ram in the thicket. Joseph spoke truth and was faithful, slavery came, but Joseph was clothed with proof – Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt. Gideon spoke truth and was faith, tens of thousands of Amalekites and Midianites made war against him, but Gideon was clothed with proof – the armies were destroyed. David spoke truth and was faithful, Goliath rose up and roared, but David was clothed with proof – David slew Goliath and took his head.
Example after example in the Scriptures show clear evidence and pattern that God always clothes his faithful spokesmen with proof. He always confirms His Word with signs following. Our God is faithful. Will you arise and speak the truth? Will you remain faithful, even when great attacks come against the truth you have spoken? We need a series of meetings. Meet God, meet his requirements, meet the enemy, meet victory, meet the future, and have every one of these meetings in faith, walking in love, honoring the Lord. He will see to it that you are well-clothed.
Manna for Today – Acts 28:1-10; Mark 16:15-20; Jeremiah 1:12
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 