Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 9:39-41
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive..
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive..
Commentary:
9:40 Tabitha, arise. See note on 3:6. Peter had no supernatural power in his own words, but the Lord had showed him what he was going to do in response to Peter’s prayer, and he imparted to Peter’s heart the knowledge and faith that he was going to restore Tabitha to life as Peter spoke.
9:41 The Greek verb for raised her up is the same word used throughout the NT for Jesus’ resurrection (Gk. anistēmi). Though her restoration to life was not permanent, it served to remind Christians of their promised resurrection in Christ.
9:41 The Greek verb for raised her up is the same word used throughout the NT for Jesus’ resurrection (Gk. anistēmi). Though her restoration to life was not permanent, it served to remind Christians of their promised resurrection in Christ.
Questions:
- It seems that Peter has learned to follow Jesus' lead. In both healings in chapter 9, he uses almost the exact same words as Jesus did in similar healings. Could it be a coincidence? Possibly, but it seems more likely that the words of Jesus' were echoing in Peter's ears. He is literally following Jesus. As a Jesus follower, do you pattern your life after Jesus? In what ways?
- Peter has finally let Jesus take the lead. For most of Peter's time with Jesus, Peter was trying to lead Jesus. When Jesus predicted His own death, Peter scolded Him. When Jesus said that Peter would deny Him, Peter said, "No way!" And so on. What Peter was actually saying was, "Jesus, you're smart, but I know better." That sounds harsh, but isn't that what YOU'RE saying when you refuse God's truth and do things your own way, in your own power, with your own reasoning and abilities? Do you ever trust your own desires, feelings and truth over God's? How do we make sure we aren't living this way?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would follow Jesus' example.
- That you would trust HIS ways over yours.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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