(Acts 9:36-42)
“If” I am ever in need of prayer because I am nigh unto death, it goes without saying that I would appreciate your prayers. And, if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion in advance (lest it ever happen): “Please, get down on your knees and pray for a complete and total recovery—a recovery, right then and there! No small prayers-thank you!”If the apostle Peter had gone into that upper room with the faith and expectations of some, our sister Dorcas would never have been raised from the dead. Dorcas was a good and godly sister. At her funeral her generosity was on open display. They were weeping for someone who “was always doing good and helping the poor.” The widows were showing off the clothes she had made for them. She was obviously a ‘giver’ and possibly a woman of means.Peter cleared the room and got down on his knees and prayed. Then he spoke three of the most powerful words ever to come from a man’s mouth: “Tabitha, get up.” Remember, she’s dead. But he was speaking into being that which he asked for and expected in prayer—a miracle. Now, I know that Peter was miraculously endowed with the power to raise the dead. But the fact that he prayed first is proof positive that he did not presume to know God’s will, nor did he put any confidence in himself in any way.The miracles of the Bible changed the lives for believers and unbelievers alike. Their primary purpose was to confirm the word of God. Believers saw the power of God in them and broke out in praise and thankfulness. Unbelievers saw trickery and broke out in scorn and derision.Luke confirmed that the miracle did what it was designed to do: “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:42). A woman of great faith and good works was raised to work on for Jesus. I wonder how she felt about being called back from Paradise?(johnstaiger1@gmail.com)
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