You might not be familiar with Rhoda in the Bible. While her appearance is limited to two verses, it is a story that always makes me smile.
You can find the story in Acts 12: 13-15. “When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.”
Just for a little background. Herod had started to persecute Christians. He had James put to death and when he saw it made the Jews happy, he arrested Peter. His plan was to execute him as well. The Christians gathered together to pray fervently for Peter and for his release.
Peter was in jail and between four squadrons of guards when an angel came to him. Peter was sleeping so soundly, the angel had to shake him awake. The angel led him out of the prison, and Peter found his way to the home of this gathering of Christians who were praying.
Little Rhoda was a servant girl (don’t you love that God chose to record the name of a serving girl in the Bible?) opens the gate and she is SO excited to see Peter that, instead of letting him in, she basically slams the gate in his face.
She runs in to tell everyone that Peter is there and he’s released. Nobody believes her and insist that she is crazy, but she insists. Meanwhile, Peter continues knocking on the door until someone finally let’s him in after ascertaining that he is not, in fact, an angel.
I love that the only one who believes that God answered their prayers was Rhoda, a serving girl. It’s such a great story of a simple faith. Rhoda didn’t need to be convinced. They had prayed and God had answered. The proof was Peter standing at the door.
I also love her exuberant joy in answered prayer. There is no hesitation at all – just an overwhelming joy.
I can learn from that. So many times, I am hesitant to believe God has, indeed, answered my prayer. I wonder if I am reading into something or there is another shoe waiting to drop. I can learn a lot from Rhoda’s simple, exuberant faith. How about you?
Blessings, Rosanne
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