Scripture
Vs 12 …. many were gathered together and were praying.
Vs 13 When (Peter) knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Vs 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
Vs 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so.
They kept saying, “It is his angel.”
Vs 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.
Observation
The people of God we’re doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing:
“… gathering together and praying”. This is beautiful to see.
Their response to the oppression of their loved one (Peter who was imprisoned by Herod) was to immediately plea to God, not their oppressors.
Clearly, these were people of faith.
Yet, they, like us/me today, were shocked and surprised at the responsiveness of God, their Sovereign King, sovereign over all … even Herod who they were hiding from.
Application
We should gather and pray, just as this early group of believers did.
In fact, it reminds me of Good Life’s mission to “share Good News and share Life together.”
But our gathering and praying should be an act of hope, not fear.
We gather and pray as a faithful act, not a social act.
Our God is an active God, a God of movement. I don’t want to miss it.
These gathered early followers told the girl she was “out of her mind”.
It even seems that the people gathered argued for a while as to possibility that Peter (or anyone) was knocking outside.
She “kept insisting”…
They “kept saying”…
Peter “kept knocking” …!
We/I must never become a group of people that gather, yet stop listening for the knock of those outside our walls.
We must be, I must be, perceptive to the opportunities God provides to open the door of his Good News to those outside.
God will and does provide those opportunities.
People are knocking. … Will I open the door?
Or will I argue with other believers about what to do?
Vs 16 says “they opened the door … and were amazed”.
Want to be amazed by God?
Open the door!
Prayer
God, you are amazing.
You are sovereign. Never allow me to stop being amazed by you … in awe of you.
Take whatever fear I have of opening doors when others knock.
Replace my fear with the gift of your faith.
I love you. And I’m grateful for your love.
Amen.