adapted from the She study, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 68-69
Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 9:32-43 and Proverbs 31:10
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
Proverbs 31:10
Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, is another woman of the Bible who is seldom taught and little known by most. Actually, if you had asked me three weeks ago (before I began looking through this study book) who Tabitha was, I would have told you she was a character from the Bewitched Show.1 It wasn’t until I began reading today’s passage of Scripture that I remembered her story. This Tabitha was not an adorable child who could twitch her nose and make things move or disappear. Instead, she was a New Testament believer known for her good works and kind deeds. These deeds/works are not really elaborated on, but what we do know is that she was specifically known for her good works and acts of love for the poor/needy, particularly the widows (Acts 9:36 & 39).
While Tabitha’s story is told in a mere seven verses, it is one of inspiration and a miraculous restoration of life that led to many more believers in the city of Joppa. It is safe to say that her testimony is far more valuable than rubies. This is made evident when Peter not only responds quickly to the message he received about her passing, but then raises her from the dead.
SHE WAS ALIVE AGAIN, A LIVING TESTIMONY OF THE MIRACULOUS GRACE OF GOD.2
Friends, like Tabitha, our testimonies matter. How we live for God, not only on Sundays or when people are watching, matters. From our words, to our facial expressions, to the things we do for God and for others matter. How we live will either lead people toward God or away from Him. As my pastor preached yesterday,3 “others will know when we have spent time with Jesus”(Acts 4:13).
Every time a person is raised from the dead, it is a stupendous miracle, showing that the God who is Himself the Source of Life has the ability to give life to whom He will—even after death.4
Tabitha serves as an example that faithfulness can lead to great miracles and much fruit, which in this case was other believers5 (Acts 9:42).
Reflections and Application
When others see us, will they see that we have spent time with Jesus? Will they be able to tell that we are faithful followers of Jesus? When they hear or see that we are sick, will they call others in the body of Christ to pray for us? Will the watching world see what Jesus is doing in us and choose to follow him as well?
Faithfulness is a rare quality. How can you/we be more faithful?
The More We Know
How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible?
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bewitched ↩︎
- She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, p 69 ↩︎
- Sermon, The Cost of Following, by Pastor David Lemming ↩︎
- https://www.gotquestions.org/raised-from-the-dead.html ↩︎
- She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, p 69 ↩︎
Me From the Inside Out 