Acts 9:36-43 (NRSV)
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Verse 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Verse 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Verse 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." Verse 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Verse 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. Verse 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. Verse 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Verse 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Devotion
I recently met a woman from China named Dorcas. She said that in her country, few people recognized her name as one found in the New Testament. In the United States, however, many people know the source of her name. It struck me that it must have been difficult to explain her name to people in her native land, many of whom are not Christian. We often try too hard to explain our faith as Christians. In today’s passage, Peter's faith is evident. He doesn't sit down to explain what he's going to do in order to raise Dorcas; he simply goes in and, with trust in God, does the job.
There are times we should do as Peter did – go in and do the job, not stopping to explain our faith, but expressing our complete trust in God through our actions.
Prayer
Lord, help me this day to live by faith and not by explanation. Amen.