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. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murdered, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. Acts 28:3-5 (NASB)
The Apostle Paul and 275 others were sailing across the Mediterranean Sea, Paul on his way to stand trial before Caesar in Rome, when they encountered a horrific storm which caused the ship to strike a sandbar and break up off an island called Malta. The crew jumped off the ship, some swimming to shore and others grabbing hold of pieces of the ship, drifting to the island. They all arrived safely as God had promised!
The islanders showed extraordinary kindness by lighting a fire to warm the crew. Paul was helping gather wood for the fire. As he laid his bundle of sticks in the flames, a poisonous snake came out and bit him, hanging onto his hand. Paul shook the snake off and the people waited to see what would happen to him. In verse 5 we see how Paul responded:
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Acts 28:5 (NIV)
Has the devil come out of the woodwork and attacked you in some way? Is he trying to inject his poisonous venom into your life? Through the power of God, you can also shake off the challenges that are thrown at you. Rise up, shake off the snake and walk in the light of who you are in Christ.