READING: 2 Chronicles 35-36, Acts 9:26-10:8
Today’s one of those days when something surprisingly captures my attention in the Scriptures. In today’s New Testament reading, we learn of God’s power displayed through Peter’s ministry—particularly, his healing Aeneas and Tabitha (Dorcas). Through God, Peter first brought strength and power to Aeneas, “who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years” (Acts 9:33). Peter spoke, and immediately Aeneas got up.
Later, God used Peter to bring life to Tabitha, a woman who “was always doing good works and acts of charity” (Acts 9:36). Peter prayed over her dead body, commanded her to get up, and watched as she sat up. Then – in another text that I hadn’t caught before – Peter “gave her his hand and helped her stand up” (Acts 9:41). The gentleness in that act as the fisherman reached out to her is sweet indeed.
More incredible to me, though, is that Peter was the same man who once denied even knowing Jesus. Three times, he had rejected any notion that he was a follower of Jesus – but, now, God’s power flowed through him. God’s grace really is amazing.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for forgiveness. Thank You for drawing us back to You and then using us for Your glory.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezra 1-3, Acts 10:9-33