Acts 28:3-6 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.… There are certain hands that the viper does not mind to fasten upon. It pays little heed to the idle, greedy, or prayerless hand; it has poisoned these already, and can leave them alone. Let us look at — I. The viper and THE BUSY HAND. It was when Paul's hand was busy that the viper fastened on it. "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do," or rather allows them to find mischief for themselves. But he hates the busy hand and tries to poison it and make it idle. When you are diligent at any task look out for the viper. Whenever you say, "Oh I what's the use!" or, "Never do today what can be done tomorrow," beware of the viper on the busy hand. Shake it off! It will sting you into idleness, and then Satan will have no difficulty in getting you to do what he likes. II. The viper and THE OPEN HAND. Satan likes close-fistedness; but when he sees an open, generous hand, the "old serpent" fastens on it. I will tell you how you may know when it is there. Here is a lad who yesterday got his week's wages. When in church he hears the minister pleading on behalf of some heathen children, he begins to ask, "What have I to do with them? The money is my own." Or on your way to the Sabbath school you may be tempted to halve the penny you had determined to put into the mission box. Satan does not wish you to give anything to carry the gospel to your brothers and sisters afar off. He knows that you are helping Christ to bruise his head. There is a beautiful legend of an old English open-handed king. After King Oswald learned Christ, he was feasting one day with Aidan the Bishop, when he was told that a hungry multitude waited around his door. He sent out to them the untasted feast, and divided among them the silver dishes, so that Aidan blessed his hand, saying, "May this hand never grow old." Some time afterwards Oswald fell in battle, and, as his limbs were cruelly cut up and hung upon stakes by the enemy, it was observed that the hand that Aidan had blessed — the open hand of Oswald — remained white and uncorrupted. God loves the open hand, but the viper fastens on it. Look to God and shake it off! III. The viper and THE PRAYING HAND. We are told to lift up "holy hands" of prayer "without wrath and doubting." Satan hates the hands of prayer. The praying boy or girl keeps so near Christ that Satan can scarcely do any harm. He wishes you to stop praying, in order to get the better of you. Have you never felt weary, or heard a voice saying to you, "What does God care for a boy or girl like you?" or, "How can He hear you in the heavens?" The viper has fastened on your hand. Pray all the more earnestly for power to shake it off! (W. Dickie, M.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. |
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