Have you ever been so excited that you forget yourself for a moment? Think of a surprised but happy game show contestant who correctly answers the winning question. They can’t decide if they bounce to their approaching family or pause to hug the host first. Can you see it?

I hope you can because this image comes to mind when I read about Rhoda in Acts 12. Like the game show contestant, she was right, and her excitement left her indecisive about who needed to share her joy. 

As you read this article, you will form your opinion about Rhoda. Sermons about Rhoda are probably few and far between. Some may view Rhoda as a minor character who was giddy and spaced out. And yet, God’s Holy Spirit placed her faith with her name in early church history against a backdrop of unbelieving and weary Christians. As you read, I invite you to consider that Rhoda’s response was on point and an example to all Christians.

Picture the scene with me. Mary, the mother of Mark, the gospel writer, lived in Jerusalem and had a large prayer meeting in her home the night Peter showed up at the door. (You can read about how Peter was arrested and delivered from prison in Acts 12:1-11).

The servant girl, Rhoda, heard a knock at the door and went to answer it. The writer of this true account included a fascinating detail. Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice. Even more than seeing, (if seeing is believing), Rhoda heard, and hearing was believing. Her ears were in tune with God’s work. God’s Holy Word supports the idea. The Bible says in verse 14, “When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

The response to Rhoda in verse 15 exposes the attitude of those gathered.  “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

In no mood for a surprise, their spiritually inaccurate and incredulous comments reveal their motivation. Rhoda’s acts shined a glaring void for readiness to answered prayers on their part.

I can almost hear some mocking chuckles. Yet, the Bible says that Rhoda kept insisting it was Peter even as the prayer group spoke their doubt and unbelief to her announcement. And it says Peter kept knocking (verse 16). And that’s a good thing because, at this time, only Rhoda believed he was on the other side of that door. Doubt never entered Rhoda’s heart.
She knew.

She heard.

And she knew what she heard.

There’s a lot of dynamic inside Mary’s house. Verse 12 says many were gathered to pray. I don’t know what caused those gathered to respond negatively and mean-spirited toward Rhoda. Were they jealous of her faith? Had they grown tired and weary to the point of unbelief? Did they even pray anymore? Had they given up? Possibly, but not Rhoda.

Peter was likely the topic of the prayer meeting that evening. Yet the attitudes of the others makes me wonder who was praying. I imagine Rhoda prayed that night something like, “Lord, would you release Peter from jail? And Lord, if you do, would you lead him to come here and let all of us know?”
Prayers of faith get answered. These are impossible prayers. And if Rhoda prayed something like that, it was with faith that she did.

Thankfully, they did open the door. Verse 16 says, “…and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Some translations say astounded or amazed.

Was Rhoda astounded or amazed? I tend not to think so. This story is as much about Rhoda as it is Peter. Yes, certainly God sent an angel to perform a miracle. But it was Rhoda who prayed. Before the door was ever opened, the writer of this story shows us that Rhoda was ready, expectant, and joyful.

Rhoda’s response is why she is one of my top 3 favorite women of the Bible. She is not a minor character. Her excitement is neither giddy nor spaced out. Her part and placement in this early church account is significant.

Rhoda was in the right place at the right time on God’s timeline for the early church. Her heart was pure, humble, loving, kind, and full of faith. I compare her response to everyone else in the room that night, and it is Rhoda who stands above all the rest.

The Rhodas in the Kingdom are the ones who see God. Their pure hearts expect God to work, and they don’t need all their senses to prove He is. Remember, Rhoda’s hearing verified that Peter was on the other side of the door. Rhoda instantly knew prayer for Peter was answered. Her joy burst out to all in the room, but, unfortunately, was not received.

The ominous time ticking toward Peter’s execution would surely be a hopeless situation. Peter was on Herod’s execution list for the next day.The miracle in Acts 12 was a big answer to prayer.

TIPS TO PUT HOPE IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE:

• Ask God to teach you how to pray about your situation.
• Ask God to help you see when and where He is working. 
• Ask God to let your heart be tender to His answer and not bitter at the delay. 
• Ask God to protect you from unbelief. 
• Ask God for a trusting heart.
• And be sure and give God all the praise and glory when He answers. 
• And while you wait, get ready. 

©Valerie Rumfelt

Extra resource:

SOMEONE NEEDS IT~

SHARE IT!