Acts 9:36

Acts 9:36 says, Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  We learn about Tabitha, which we are told by interpretation means Dorcas. She lived in Joppa and was full of good works and alms and deeds.  Hopefully, when people speak of us, especially as Christ's representatives here on earth, they can say that we are full of good works and helping others. Verse thirty-seven adds, And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  Tabitha became sick.  Though she was a good woman, there was no miracle healing.  She died.  After the women washed her, they laid her in an upper room.  Verse thirty-eight continues, And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.  The disciples at Joppa heard that Peter was at Lydda and sent for him to come quickly.  Now, it would seem to me that what they could have done was call on God to raise her from death, but sometimes people don't have enough belief in the power of their own faith.  Verse thirty-nine states, Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.  Peter came and when he got there, they took him to where Dorcas lay.  Now many widows were there and showed him all the coats and garments she had made.  When we die, will people be able to show or even tell of the good works we have done?   Verse forty adds, But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  Peter sent everyone out of the room and knelt down by the body and prayed, and said, Tabitha, arise.  She opened her eyes and saw Peter and sat up. Verse forty-one continues, And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  Then, Peter gave her his hand and she stood.  The widows and saints there were called,  and she was presented alive. What miraculous thing did Peter do?  He prayed, believing.  We sometimes hear the expression, "All I can do is pray," as if it is something of little value.  Yet, when all Peter did was pray, God raised a woman from the dead, and many people believed in Christ.  In some religious views, a person must "perform" two miracles to achieve sainthood.  This, being seen as Peter's second miracle, would have qualified him, but again, it wasn't his miracle.  If Peter had begun to see himself as the giver of miracles, he would have been of no use to God.  If we get to puffed up in our own spiritual power, thinking that it is about us and not God, we are of no use to Him. Verse forty-two says, And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. This miracle was known of throughout all of Joppa and many people believed, not in Peter, but in Jesus Christ.  We must always make certain that God get the credit for any good that we do. Verse forty-three adds, And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.  How did Peter react to what happened?  He resided many days with Simon the tanner.  We aren't told why, but it could have been to take the focus off himself.  We must always keep the focus on God.