Key Passage: Acts 28: 1-5

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 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 on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

There are times when the kingdom of darkness releases attacks from diverse sides to frustrate and destroy the lives of people in the service of God. At such times, God encourages His people not to fear, but to trust in His power to deliver them.

The armies of Hell came against Paul with series of attacks. Jewish fanatics mobbed him as he went into the temple to worship. There, the Roman authorities arrested him. When the Jews plotted to assassinate him, he was smuggled out to Caesarea. There, he was arraigned for his faith before Governor Felix, Governor Festus and King Agrippa. On noticing the dubious plan of the governors to betray him to the Jews, Paul appealed to Emperor Caesar. As he was carried alongside criminals to Rome, a great storm stuck the ship and caused it to wreck. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, but the Centurion in the ship intervened because of Paul. They were able to swim ashore in a cold rainy night and some natives set fire for them to warm their bodies. As Paul was about to fetch some firewood, a viper – a terrible poisonous snake – fastened on his hand. It was as if the kingdom of Hell had finally gotten him. People expected him to drop dead in few minutes. But Paul did not fear. He shook the viper into the fire and was not harmed.

The Scripture says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD” (Is 54:17). “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim 4:18).

As you serve the Lord, Satan may launch attacks against your health, your family, your marriage, your career, your business, and even your life, but he will not prevail. Jesus told his disciples, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Lk 10:19). The armies of Hell have no power to harm you. You are the one rather empowered by God to subdue and destroy them.

Pray: Lord, I refuse to fear or succumb to the onslaughts of the kingdom of darkness; in the name of Jesus, I subdue and destroy every attack of Hell against me.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi