SCRIPTURE:
12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
Acts 12:12-17
OBSERVATION:
If you had the power to give away a front row seat to the Super Bowl, who would you give them to: a superfan of football whose team is playing or someone who knows nothing about football? Obviously, the superfan of football. Why? Because they’d fully appreciate the experience. While sitting in the front row for the Super Bowl is a hot ticket, you know what’s an even better front row seat? The front row seat to seeing God’s miracles. You see, God is still moving and working in this world as powerfully as He did in the Bible. He is healing people, providing for people, and showing Himself as Lord to people in real and tangible ways. Would you like to see these miracles in action? Do you want to see the power of God in the fullness of its glory with your own eyes? The Bible tells us how you can. And the answer is in the life of Rhoda.
If I asked you “who are the top 10 significant people in the Bible?” chances are that you probably wouldn’t answer with “Rhoda.” It’s even possible you never heard of a person named Rhoda in the Bible. And that’s completely understandable, because she only appears once throughout its pages––when Peter unexpectedly arrives at the gathering house of the believers after an angel miraculously broke him out of prison. Yet, despite playing a minor role, Rhoda teaches us three significant qualities we can possess to position ourselves to see God’s miracles:
- Belief in God’s Possible Impossible
Rhoda believed that God could actually do the impossible. All of them prayed that God would free Peter from prison, yet Rhoda was the only one who was unsurprised when it actually happened. Her excitement, contrasted with the doubt of the other believers, shows that she actually believed that God could do what they prayed for. When God made the impossible possible, the other believers responded with doubt; Rhoda responded with belief.
- Unrelenting Joy in Faith
When Peter knocked at the door, she was filled with joy––so much so that rather than open the door, she comedically ran back to everyone to tell them the news. Rhoda shows us that faith should be joyful. We should be excited about the miracles of God and find joy in his blessings. Rather than respond with skepticism, entitlement, or even a lack of emotion, she responds with joy.
- Gratitude in Answered Prayers
Rhoda was grateful for God’s answered prayers. When Peter knocks at the door, rather than open it for him, she runs to report to the rest that God had answered their prayers. Rather than reap the benefit and hug Peter, she couldn’t wait to tell everyone else about God’s breakthrough. Rhoda was not concerned about the benefits of answered prayers; she was concerned about showing gratitude to a God who answered them.
Rhoda had unrelenting joy in faith, gratitude in answered prayers and a belief in God’s possible impossible––and because she did, God chose her to answer the door for Peter and have a front row seat to see God’s miracle.
APPLICATION:
Possessing these essential-yet-often-forgotten qualities of faith positions you to be handpicked by God to see the glory of His miracles. Why? Because just like that super bowl seat, you’d be the most appreciative of it. Rather than miss the miracle, you’d live with your eyes open, expecting it to happen. Rather than keeping your emotions to yourself, you’d share the infectious joy of faith with others. Rather than respond with entitlement or use God for His blessings, you’d respond with gratitude for God’s goodness and grace.
Do you want a front row seat to see God’s miracles?
Believe in God’s Possible Impossible. Don’t just recite prayers you don’t believe in; believe with all your heart that God can actually do what you’re praying for. Live life with open eyes, ready to see God in action so that when He moves, you don’t miss it.
Live Out the Joy of Faith. Faith is supposed to be fun! It isn’t supposed to be routine, boring, or oppressive––it should be joyful. Let your faith bring you joy. Find excitement in the spontaneous and enjoy the life God has given you––for just as a father loves to see his child enjoy life, your Heavenly Father enjoys when He sees you enjoying the life He’s given you.
Be Grateful for God’s Answered Prayers. Don’t just pray because you want God’s benefits; be grateful because you desire His presence. Prayers are not a wish list; it is an opportunity to Praise God for all He has done, Repent for your shortcomings, Ask God to move in your life, and Yield to Him regardless of what He’s done (P-R-A-Y). Pray for the privilege of His presence, not His benefits, and when He answers, be grateful that He showed you His goodness.
And when you, you’ll position yourself to be selected for front row seats to His great miracles, just like Rhoda.
PRAYER:
God,
You are awesome, almighty, and all powerful. You are the God of miracles, and you are working powerfully in this world. I believe in Your possible impossible, You fill me joy, and I am grateful for your answered prayers. When you move, I ask for a front-row seat to Your miracles. I desire to see Your hand at work and Your power in all of its glory. Open my eyes and position me to see You move––I desire to see Your presence, Your power, and Your glory. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
