The beloved physician Luke wrote how he, Paul, and others with him were shipwrecked and swam to “the island” that “was called Melita”, and they were “In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed. Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared, “landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days” where we read:
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
The verse begins, “And landing at Syracuse, ...” Luke began with the words, “and landing” which means “and bringing the vessel from deep water to the land” “at Syracuse” whose name means “a Syrian hearing” and was “a large maritime city of Sicily, having an excellent harbor and surrounded by a 14 mile (23 km) wall”. Luke shared how the ship from Alexandria of Egypt was brought ashore at the maritime city of Sicily whose name was “Syracuse”.
The verse continues, “... we tarried there three days.” Luke added the words, “we tarried there” which means “we, Luke, Paul and the others on the ship stayed and remained within Syracuse for” “three days” or “three sunrises to sunsets”. Luke shared how he, Paul and the others at the ship stayed in the city of “Syracuse” for three “days”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about the voyage of “Paul” and the others with him to the city of “Rome”. This time they were at the city of “Syracuse”, and they would be in “Rome” soon. God had His plan in place for “Paul”, and those along the ride would be the beneficiaries of “Paul's” predetermined destination. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. When they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Those who are wise carefully examine all the places along the journey of “Paul” and understand they were all part of God's purpose and plan to bring salvation to everyone who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus.
Next time Luke shares, “from there we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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