Let God See Your Pain and Heal
Scripture Passage: Acts 28:1-10 (NASB)
1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and took us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they supplied us with everything we needed.
SUMMARY
Paul and his fellow shipmates have been brought safely to Malta, where the natives kindle a fire and bring him and his shipmates in from the rain. While tending to the fire, Paul is bitten by a viper. When the natives see Paul suffer no negative effects from the viper, they begin to say Paul is a god. Paul and his group are then invited to stay with Publius, a leader on the island whose father is lying in bed with fever and dysentery. When Paul arrives, he prays and lays hands on Publius’s father, who is healed. The rest of the people on the island see this and bring their sick to Paul to be healed.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
Ver. 8
“And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and father he prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.”
My heart ached and broke when I read this passage. So many people especially these days are suffering and afflicted with their own spiritual, mental and physical versions of recurring illness. I also have inner scars and illnesses and am in desperate need of God’s gracious healing hands. But I often find myself working hard to cover up my weaknesses and wounds and trying tirelessly to look “put together” in the eyes of the world. Perhaps because I am fearful of others’ opinions, or because I feel the need to keep up with whatever “standard” I’ve set for my own worldly success. Whatever the reasons, I often hide my afflictions or sickness before God or even to myself because it’s too painful for me to see my exposed shortcomings. But the truth is, I have so many weaknesses. I struggle with OCD, anxiety attacks, chronic pain and many physical ailments. I am here… where I am… purely by the grace of God and will not survive without his treatment.
Today’s passage reminded me that true healing begins when the illness, scars and wounds are disclosed, opened up and prayed over. Publius, the leader on the island, opened up about his father’s illness. His father was seen by Paul and Paul earnestly prayed over his father and laid his hands over him.
APPLICATION
I realize that my pride has kept me from opening up and coming before the Lord with humility and honesty. Instead of burying and bottling my scars and afflictions inside, I want to bring them to the Lord in prayer. Jesus, after all, said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick…For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I also want to consistently and intentionally pray for those around me who trust me by opening up about their wounds and stories of recurring pain and afflictions.
PRAYER
Lord,
I admit that I am broken, afflicted and sick. But I come to you, for in you there is always light, hope, healing and Life. Your treatment never ends in death; it always leads to Life. Help me to remember that truth.
Lord, I repent for being neglectful and not loving the body of Christ, the community of your people. You have allowed me to see and hear about their stories of pain but I confess that I have often turned them away. Fill me with your spirit, strength and faith that I may truly love them as you have loved me by praying for them, sharing their burdens and carrying their cross together.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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