Mediterranean island, southwest of the southernmost tip of Sicily." />

Meaning of MALTA

(Gr., "Melíta"; the current name of Malta is Arabic).
Mediterranean island, southwest of the southernmost tip of Sicily.

(Gr., "Melíta"; the current name of Malta is Arabic).
Mediterranean island, southwest of the southernmost tip of Sicily.

In Acts. 28:1 The ship taking Paul to Rome runs aground at Melita, that is, according to tradition, in Malta. Tradition also points to a St. Paul's Bay in Malta (13 km north-northwest of Valletta).

Even though the inhabitants (Acts 28:2-4: barbarians) were subjects of Rome since 218 B.C. and citizens since Caesar, their own language was Punic (Phoenician), and, therefore, easy for Paul to understand.

A Semitic dialect is still spoken in Malta today. But, as can be deduced from the inscriptions, Latin and Greek were understood on the island. This was governed by a "princeps municipii", to whom Acts. 28:7 gives the name Publius.

Psalm 19 tells us that, unless you repress it, you can still hear the stars singing about their maker.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

From Heavenly Greatness to Inexhaustible Love

Timothy Keller

The number of stars is still uncountable by human science, yet God knows them by name (verse 4; cf. Isaiah 40:26). Job speaks of the creation, when “the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy” (Job 38:7).

This Christmas season, let’s remember to thank Him for His most precious gift to us: Himself.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Gift of Himself

David Jeremiah

Long ago, there ruled a wise and good king in Persia who loved his people and often dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar so he could visit the poor and learn about their hardships.

Father, as we honor the birth of your Son, let us think on mercy, healing, and reconciliation. Amen.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Healing Time

J. Stephen Lang

1868: On this date a political leader who grew up poor, had no formal education and was illiterate until his wife taught him to read and write, issued Proclamation 179 “granting full pardon and amnesty for the offense of treason against the United States during the late Civil War.”

Christmas means you have an eternal home waiting for you. That should make more than the angels sing!

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

A Personal Promise

Charles Stanley

Jesus came to earth with the view of offering you salvation. He wanted you to have a restored relationship with the Father, a relationship that was so close, so intimate, that you would have your special place in the Father’s house (John 14:1–4).

The only people in Israel who did recognize Christ at His birth were humble, unremarkable people.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Unexpected Savior

John MacArthur

Scripture records that when John the Baptist began his ministry, “The people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not” (Luke 3:15).