Page 19 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

yard that was large enough to contain art mad” (v15). Had Rhoda taken leave
its own door (v13). Barnabas was part of of her senses? Perhaps the saints had
the extended family and was likewise a not specifically been praying for Peter’s
wealthy landowner of prime real estate release (more for his protection) or the
in Cyprus (4:36-37; Col 4:10). As Peter early Christians did not (rightly) expect
knocked at the door of the gate, Rhoda miracles every day of the week, but their
came to answer. She is referred to as “a surprise at the mighty hand of God mov-
damsel,” a word used of someone of ser- ing in response to prayer is disappointing.
vant class (Joh 18:17). Part of her respon- But then, are we any different? We should
sibilities was to function as a doorkeeper, not seek the Lord’s face in prayer if we
a task she attended to with diligence, do not believe He can and will answer
responding while Peter was still knocking! even the most grand and bold of spiritual
We do well to be diligent in the work the requests (1Ti 2:8).
Lord has given to our hands, even though Yet this was Rhoda’s finest hour. She
we might consider it to be rather menial. did not waver in her conviction. She
After all, the Psalmist said, “I had rather “constantly affirmed [insisted] that it was
be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, even so” (v15). We do well to follow her
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” example, and ever be faithful in standing
(Psa 84:10). for truth, even when others seek to belittle
To Rhoda’s great credit, when she heard us and our convictions. It is especially
Peter’s voice, she “knew” it. We live in a difficult when believers are doing the
world of clamouring voices, and many criticising.
saints would readily recognise the voice of Avoiding the simple explanation that
a celebrity or singer. But do we recognise God had answered prayer, the believers
the voice of the Lord through the Spirit by gave an even more bewildering sugges-
daily communion with Him? tion: “It is his angel,” likely referring to
Rhoda was so overwhelmed with “glad- the Jewish belief of a guardian angel. It
ness” that she forgot to open the gate and is sad when people invent explanations
left Peter standing in the darkness of the which require more faith to believe than
street (v14). The irony is not lost: the iron the Bible’s plain statements of fact.
gate of the fortress had opened by itself Thankfully, Peter “continued knock-
(v10), but here, the gate of the house ing.” Presumably, Rhoda was part of the
where fellow believers were praying for larger company that returned to the gate.
his safety remained shut! When “they” opened the door, the com-
Rhoda’s Diligence pany was “astonished” (amazed) to see
Peter. Rhoda’s good news was true – God
Running in to the prayer meeting, had delivered Peter! “And he said, Go shew
Rhoda “told how Peter stood before the these things …” (v17). We have the even
gate” (v14). One wonders if she waited for greater news of a miraculous deliverance
a brother in full flow to finish before burst- from the bondage of sin through the work
ing forth her news. With some of our dear of Christ at Calvary. May God help us
brethren, she might have been waiting for all to “go” and proclaim these things to
some time! She was met with a response others and do so with the diligence and
which indicated a spirit of unbelief: “Thou insistence of a Rhoda.

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