King Herod jailed Peter with the intention of killing him after Easter. He’d already had James killed, and Peter was next. The saints were praying for Peter while he was in jail. The night before his scheduled death date, God miraculously delivered Peter. He went to the house where the saints were gathered to share what God had done.
Peter knocked on the door and announced himself. A young lady by the name of Rhoda came to the door. She recognized his voice but was so excited to hear it that she neglected to open the door. Overcome with joy, she ran back to the praying saints, declaring Peter was at the door.
Their response was quite unexpected. The praying saints told her she was wrong!! Rhoda heard Peter knocking at the door. Yet, the people who weren’t in close proximity to the door said she didn’t hear it!!
I love Rhoda’s stance – she didn’t budge. She knew what she heard! She didn’t back down, but she continually declared that it was Peter! But they didn’t back down either. They called her crazy – the praying saints didn’t believe God had answered. She was confident, though, and held on despite what they said about her. They finally proclaimed it was his angel. All the while, Peter was still knocking!!
She didn’t relent. Nothing could change her mind!! They didn’t believe her, but they finally went to the door (to prove her wrong.) They opened the door, and to their surprise, they found out Rhoda was right!!
Don’t deny what God has shown you. The saints were praying, but when the answer came, they denied that it could even be as they prayed. But Rhoda knew better!
Stand on what God caused you to hear! Although the naysayers may declare you to be everything but right, don’t accept their reasons why it can’t possibly be what you know you heard. Don’t walk away from what God showed you because someone didn’t hear what you did.
They didn’t hear it – you did! Eventually, they will discover that God did move as you declared!!
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 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. 8 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. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 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. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Acts 12:1-17 (KJV_
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)