Day 282 – Acts 28 Psalm 85

In Acts 28, Paul finally reaches the island of Malta after the shipwreck. Even there, far from home, God’s care surrounds him. When a snake bites his hand, everyone fears the worst, but Paul is unharmed. He prays for the sick, and people are healed. His kindness and faith leave a lasting mark before he continues on to Rome.

When Paul arrives in Rome, he’s still under guard, yet his spirit is free. From his small home, he welcomes everyone who comes to listen. He keeps sharing about Jesus with joy and confidence, proving that God’s message can’t be chained. The story of Acts ends not with an ending, but an open invitation for every believer to continue the mission of spreading hope, wherever they are.

Psalm 85 celebrates God’s mercy and the renewal He brings. It pictures the land coming alive again as love and truth meet, and peace grows like a harvest. Just as Paul saw new life bloom in unexpected places, we too can trust that God is always restoring, turning hardship into healing and beginnings into blessings.

Let’s take a look back at Paul’s missionary journeys throughout the book of Acts. It began in Antioch, where believers prayed and sent Paul and Barnabas to share the message of Jesus. This first journey (Acts 13–14) took them through Cyprus and Asia Minor, where they faced both excitement and opposition. Many believed, others resisted, yet Paul’s courage never faded. In every town, new believers gathered, showing that God’s love was for everyone.

After returning home, Paul set out again with Silas and Timothy (Acts 15–18). They revisited churches and strengthened believers. A vision led them to Macedonia, bringing the gospel to Europe. In Philippi, Paul and Silas sang praises in prison until an earthquake opened the doors and brought their jailer to faith. Across Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, Paul shared God’s grace with all kinds of people.

Paul’s third journey (Acts 18–21) focused on deepening faith. In Ephesus, he taught, healed, and helped people turn from idols to the living God. His ministry changed hearts and even local culture. As he traveled, he encouraged unity and endurance, facing trials with peace and trust in God.

His final journey (Acts 21–28) began with arrest but ended with hope. Through trials, storms, and a shipwreck, Paul kept sharing about Jesus. Even in chains, his spirit was free. When he reached Rome, he welcomed everyone, teaching with joy and confidence.

Paul’s journeys trace the unstoppable spread of the gospel—from one city, to nations, to the world. Each step reveals a new layer of God’s plan:

The First Journey shows God’s invitation to all people.

The Second Journey shows how faith can flourish in unexpected places.

The Third Journey shows God’s desire for growth, maturity, and unity in His people.

The Journey to Rome shows that even suffering can become a platform for His glory.

Together, they form a map of courage, love, and faith in motion—reminding us that every believer, in every generation, carries the same mission: to bring the hope of Jesus wherever life leads.