What a year it has been. Across the south, we’ve suffered both devastating hurricanes and ice storms, and now we’re plagued with biting gnats. Across America, we’ve endured mob violence and political acrimony. And across the globe, over three million people have died from COVID-19 – that’s more people that live in the state of Mississippi, according to the most recent census.

Paul had had a similar rough time of it. He and his shipmates had endured a terrible storm that ended in a shipwreck (27:44). While gathering wood for a fire that would dry them off, he was bitten by a venomous snake (28:3). And when the soldiers finally brought him to Rome, he was placed under house arrest (28:16).

So, how do we respond when we face tough times? Paul chose to thank God (28:15), for let’s face it – even in the midst of his difficulties, he had as many reasons for rejoicing as for complaining. After all, Paul had suffered no ill effects from the snakebite (28:5). Moreover, no one had drowned in the shipwreck – all were brought safely through (28:1). And the snakebite and the shipwreck opened up opportunities for ministry on Malta, allowing Paul to display the grace of God by healing so many people of their diseases (28:9). And even in his confinement in Rome Paul could find a blessing, for he was not placed in prison, but only under house arrest (28:16).

But the blessings He received in the midst of his trials didn’t just move Paul to give thanks to God – they also inspired him to take courage (28:15). And that’s because God had preserved him through all those trials in order to keep a promise – a promise that Paul would testify about Jesus in Rome (23:11), a promise that had been repeated by an angel even in the midst of that storm at sea (27:24).

So, I suppose we could go on complaining about all the difficulties we have had to face. But instead, why not give thanks that God has brought us safely through them all? Moreover, why not take courage even as we face an uncertain future? For God continues to be faithful to His Word, no matter how rough the road we walk may be.

Acts 28:1-16 (ESV)

After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.
12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.