S) "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."
Acts 12:14 (NASB)
O) Peter had been arrested by Herod the king, then sentenced to death. He was under the guard of four squads of guards, and his fate seemed sealed. Still, the church kept praying for his deliverance (vv.1-5). Peter was awakened and delivered by an angel, and even knowing the miraculous power of God before this, he didn't believe his own deliverance had happened until he was a block away from the prison and his deliverer disappeared. So, he made his way quickly to the house of Mary, and a young woman named Rhoda answered him at the gate. Then we see the above verse. When she did report it to the disciples there, they didn't believe, either. Thankfully, Peter kept knocking, and they came and let him into the house.
A) This story always amused me. We don't know how old this girl was, but she was a servant, so maybe somewhere between 10 and 13? I have two daughters (who are 5 and 10 years old right now), and I've seen them get excited enough that it completely blanks every other thought they had. Simple tasks, like opening a door for a guest, can easily flee the brain. So, reading this story, it's easy for me to imagine either one of them in Rhoda's role. As adorable as that is, unfortunately, it's also easy for me to imagine myself in the role of the disciples in that house that night. There is a lot of truth to the saying, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." But the word, "probably," is perhaps the most important word in that phrase. This story reminds me of two different stereotypes related to age. The older people struggle to believe. The younger person is so idealistic, that responsibility is forgotten. I think it's important to be realistic about things of the world. But, when it comes to the things of God, what is realistic? Is it realistic for a man in a maximum security prison, awaiting martyrdom, to be rescued by an angel? Is it realistic that a Father would sacrifice His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life? Is it realistic for God to take a man from the palace of Egypt, into the desert, to save a nation? What about for God to take a man out of the desert, and into the palace of Egypt, to save a nation? Is it realistic for the entire human race to be saved on a floating zoo? Is it realistic for every piece of matter in the universe to suddenly exist, when it didn't exist? Forget about what is probable. Without God, these things are just impossible, let alone improbable. But, with God, nothing is impossible. So, when it comes to the world, the old adage is well and good. However, when it comes to God, if it seems to good to be true, perhaps I need to change what I think. I should listen to what His word says, and listen to His promises, and remember His miracles, and believe. I should go open the door.
P) Father, if I didn't know You, if I wasn't so familiar with Your character and Your works, then I would think You are too good to be true. You might very well be too good for some things. You are too good for me, because of Your grace. You are too good to break Your promises. You are too good to be indifferent. You are too good to ignore Your people. But, one thing You certainly are not, is too good to be true. Thank You for revealing Yourself. Thank You for setting miraculous precedent. Let the whole of the Bible increase my faith, knowing You are faithful. Let the entirety of my life increase my own faith, knowing how much grace You have already shown me. When I experience Your goodness again, when I am confronted with Your awesomeness again, remind me that it is not out of character, not out of Your ordinary. You are utterly believable. Thank You for Your goodness, which is eternally true. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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