DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Dying for life

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Posted to Acts 9:36 on Sep 21, 2009 at 12:36 PM

Acts 9:36 ESV NASB

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

“Dying for life”

Recently, I saw a poster with these words: “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” —Indian (Cherokee) Proverb

The story of Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) is a sad one. Tabitha was a devout follower of Christ. Not much else is said about her. But this one- sentence description says a lot: “She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor” (Acts 5:36).

Tabitha was a good person. But, sadly, sometimes the good die early. Even so, it seemed so tragic, wasteful even, that a useful, beloved, kind, and untiring worker like her should die so suddenly and unexpectedly (v.37). It shows us that death can come suddenly, even in the midst of a fruitful ministry.

Up until that time, Peter had performed just a couple of healings (3:6 and 9:34), but he had not done anything so dramatic or difficult as raising the dead. So it was an act of faith on Peter’s part for him to respond and to go to Joppa to see Tabitha (vv.39-41).

Upon his arrival, we are told that “the room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing [Peter] the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them” (v.39). What a testimony of a life well lived. When Peter prayed and Tabitha came back to life, there must have been great rejoicing.

When you’re gone, will you be missed? Will there be many people who weep for you? What testimony of good works will you leave behind? Will there be coats and other clothes to show? When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. But when you die, will the world cry as you rejoice? —K.T. Sim, Our Daily Jounrey

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