September 17, 2009 - Acts 9:40

“Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.” Acts 9:40.
While in Lydda, Peter received word from two men of Joppa that Tabitha had died and they needed him to come immediately. Tabitha was known for her service and acts of kindness within the community, and her passing was mourned by many. But, “Perhaps,” they thought, “if Peter were to come, who knows what the Lord might do through him.” Besides, it would be such a moving scene if Peter was to appear. And moving it was!
Upon arriving, Peter instructed all the people to leave him alone in the room with Tabitha. He knelt down in prayer and finally sensed that he needed to speak to the dead body in front of him. “Tabitha, get up.” That’s all he said, and immediately, she opened her eyes and sat up! Amazing!
Whenever I have been involved in praying for someone’s healing, it seems that as many people as possible are gathered to pray. Instead, Peter asks everyone to wait outside. Peter had a sense of what the Holy Spirit was up to and was willing to do it, no matter how much it didn’t make sense within his own mind. He didn’t necessarily do it the way that I would have, but he certainly followed through the way the Lord wanted.
Questions to consider: How sensitive are you to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever sensed the Lord instructing you to do something and you did not do it? What was that like? Have you ever done what you sensed the Lord wanted you to do, no matter how strange it was to your thinking?
Prayer: Father, I need help to see Your activity. Please give me a heart to be sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit and give me strength to do what You would have me do. Amen.