God’s ‘Faith-full’ Doorkeeper, Rhoda!!

Hey Neighbor!

• And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter“s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate (Acts 12:13)

She thought she heard a knock, so she had gone over to the door to listen more intently, while the remainder of the church assembly were fervently praying for Peter!

They had gathered together in Mary’s house, ever since they had heard word of his capture!!

The saints weeped and prayed incessantly for Peter!!

After all, they were still mourning the death of James, at the hands of Agrippa!

And Stephen had been callously stoned to death at Saul’s feet!!

Would Peter be the next martyr??

God Forbid!!

Initially, it had been Saul and the priests, who had begun to persecute those who were following the ‘Way,’ but now what had originated as a purely religious persecution of those who believed in the resurrected Christ, had now evolved into a civil/political ‘kill’ project for King Herod!!

Now that Saul (Paul) had been converted, and was no longer dragging the chained saints back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned, Herod had taken up the charter to persecute both the ‘church’ and the apostles, himself!!

Yes! Herod Agrippa had treacherously, beheaded the Apostle James, and now he had every intention of making Peter his next prized kill!!

But God said No, and He presented Peter with a Get out of Jail Free Card!!

• And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. (Acts 12:7)

The angel instructed Peter to tighten his belt of truth, to put on his peace shoes, and to grab his coat, as He performed a divine prison break!!

-And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. (Acts 12:8)

Now in reality, Peter’s feet were following after the angel’s, but in his mind, Peter did not perceive that these things were really happening!!

Peter believed that he was still fast asleep behind the prison walls, just as he had slept comfortably in the Garden of Gethsemane, instead of staying awake to watch and pray!!

But Praise God, that Our Father God, is Always alert and active…watching over his word to perform it!!

When the Lord said that He would never leave Peter, nor forsake him…He meant it and His Words were Truth!!

God’s Angel had caused the chains to fall off of Peter’s wrists, He opened the doors to the prison gates, and he lead Herod’s captive, out safely passed 16 guards!!

When the Angel departed, Peter finally came to himself and realized that he was not dreaming!!

Now Peter was standing at the door/gate of Mary’s house, the mother of John Mark, where he began to knock and quietly announce himself!!

You see, Peter had just escaped from prison, he was now a wanted man. And Because he was ‘at-large,’ he must keep quiet, and he must stealthily attain a place to hideout before the sun comes up!!

And although his knock was quite subtle, Rhoda heard it.

She approached the door to listen more closely…leaning her ear against the door, she heard a voice that was very familiar, although he whispered….

It’s Me…Simon Peter🤫

But Rhoda knew Peter“s voice, just like a sheep know’s his own masters voice!!

She had no doubt about it…This was Peter!!

The Power of Prayer had prevailed and Rhoda became overjoyed with gladness and cheer!!

Rhoda ran in to tell the others that God had heard their prayers…and that God had honored them, as they gathered together in prayer…and that He was there in their midst, like He promised!!

God had wrought deliverance for his people, and even now….the answer to their prayers was standing right outside their door!!

But they did not believe Rhoda!!

They thought she was crazy!!

They insisted that the voice that she had heard was not Peter’s, but merely his spirit…These saints had little faith, therefore they doubted God and believed that Peter’s spirit had come unto them that night, because he had already been martyred!!

But Rhoda kept the faith!!

After all, her faith had never failed her, nor had her feet, as she ran to tell the others that Peter was there at the door…the problem was with her hands, and not her mind!!

Still Rhoda continued to speak with joy and cheer; She did not relent, Nor did Peter…as he continued to knock✊

Oh My!!😱

In all the excitement Rhoda had forgotten to open the door!!

When the saints finally let Peter in, he quickly hushed them and told them of his divine deliverance, and departed from them before daybreak!!

When those who had been praying since his capture laid eyes on Peter, some finally believed!!

I’m sure there were others who were not convinced that Peter was real until they had touched the chain marks on Peter’s wrists…as did doubting Thomas!!

Unlike Rhoda, who had also been fervently and passionately praying for Peter, she believed with a pure heart that God would come through somehow!!

She had not grown weary from praying, she was not found asleep, neither was she dreaming, nor was she delusional!!

Rhoda was at Full Attention…she was on guard and alert, praying, watching, and waiting for God to show up and show out!!

She was God’s Trustworthy Watch-woman and His ‘Faith-full’ Keeper of the Door!!

You see, Rhoda had Heard Peter speak and teach about the resurrected Christ, and she Believed, just like a little child…and with a pure heart, even in the midst of all those who had doubted God!!

They said to her, You are crazy! But she persistently and strongly and confidently affirmed that it was the truth. They said, It is his angel! (Acts 12:15)

Young Rhoda remained dogmatic in her faith and she was persistent in her affirmation that Peter had indeed been rescued and his freedom had been restored to him by God!!

Rhoda had not forgotten that God was Ever-faithful and that His promises were Truth!!

But unfortunately, young Rhoda had just forgotten to open the door🤷🏽‍♀️

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Thanks For Stopping By!!

💕Tam