Where Is My Faith? (Part 3)

Everything we know about the servant girl Rhoda, we learn from Acts 12:13-15. In these three verses though Rhoda is the perfect example of having a childlike faith. For the lesson she gives us during her brief time in the spotlight I think she's one of the great minor characters of the New Testament.

It's obvious from verse 14 that Rhoda knew who Peter was. She knew his voice. Was she a Christian? Had she been part of the group of Christians who were at Mary's house praying at this time? Considering Peter's influence in Jerusalem and who she worked for, it's possible that she knew Peter from previous visits to the house. Maybe she's heard him preach.

It's the middle of the night at this time, perhaps not far from daylight. The Christians have been praying there at the house for Peter. We know there are many people there for this purpose. Peter knocks on the door. Don't you think considering the time of night and the circumstances that a knock at the door would be noticed inside? Rhoda goes to the door. Verse 14 tells us Peter spoke at the door. She knew it was Peter; she knew his voice.

Look at her reaction. Due to her gladness she did not open the gate. Her faith was acknowledged yet she lost sight of the prize. Do we lose sense of what's important? When receive the answer we're looking for do we then focus on that answer instead of where and Who it came from?

I like Rhoda's behavior in verse 15 when she has gone into the house to tell the Christians that Peter is at the gate. They don't believe her but she keeps insisting. The next verse says that while that was happening inside, Peter "continued knocking" on the outside. As a side note, remember that the iron gate opened to the city in verse 10, "of its own accord" while Mary's gate remained closed. We need to remember that while God does some things for us, He expects us to do other things.

The persistance displayed by Rhoda in verse 15 and Peter in verse 16 is something we need to remember. Peter continues knocking while Rhoda keeps insisting. Let's hold to our faith regardless of what others think. Hold the commitment even if we're mocked. Look to God as responsible and able to guide us and just as importantly be ready to do our part. Never lose sight of the goal.

Ask yourself again, "Where is my faith?"