December 6, 2026 -Walk Confidently Through Difficulties

ACTS 28:1-31

EPHESIANS 1:1-2:22

Chronological Bible Readings

^{Acts 28:3} As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. ⁴ The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” ⁵ But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. ⁶ The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Another way God showed His power through Paul's difficulties. How easy it is when difficult things happen to complain, worry and ask, "Why me?". But instead, we should look for opportunities to point people to Christ. When going through a storm if we walk with confidence in our savior, when others see us trusting in Him it will catch people's attention. Paul was bit by a poisonous snake and instead of responding in fear he trusted in God. When the people said that he must me a murderer and this was his punishment since the sea didn't take his life, he didn't get angry or defensive he just continued to do what he could to help everyone. I believe that he would have been equally content to die as he was to live knowing that it was God's will either way.

^{Ephesians 1:11} Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Just as God made all of Paul's struggles and suffering to work out according to His plan, He will do the same for us. Because we are united with Christ. He has already chosen us in advance and worked us into His plan. If that is the case, what do we have to worry about? As Paul has also said in Philippians 1 ²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.