Innocent Affirmation

Acts 12:13-16

“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”

In Acts 12, we see how King Herod persecuted James, the brother of John and killed him with a sword. He noticed that this act pleased the Jews and so seized Peter too intending to do the same. The church was fervently praying for Peter. Remember, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much as it says in James 5:16. The night before Peter’s trial, an amazing thing happened. Even though there were sixteen soldiers guarding Peter, and Peter was chained, something miraculous happened. God’s angel came to Peter and his chains fell off and the angel of the Lord walked him out through the prison doors and then through a main gate into the city. Peter came to the realization that he truly was out of the prison and proceeded to Mary (mother of John)’s house.

Peter knocked on the door and a damsel named Rhoda came running to the door and heard Peter’s voice. She recognized his voice and was so excited that she forgot to open the door and instead ran inside the house to give the good news. The people who were fervently praying for an answer did not believe the damsel but said “Thou art mad.” She constantly affirmed that it was Peter. Still they did not believe her but said may be “It is his angel”. Peter continued knocking and they opened the door and saw him just as the damsel mentioned and they were astonished.

Rhoda means “rose”. This damsel was a servant girl in Mary’s house. She had a very little role to play in this house which was frequently visited by early Christians who prayed and gathered for fellowship. She probably joined them in prayers, prepared coffee and tea, and cleaned after them. She must have closely observed the apostles acts and their courage to spread the gospel even when King Herod and the other Jews were persecuting them. In her heart, she must have believed that the Lord God was with them. When James was killed with a sword, she was one of the Christians to suffer the loss. Right now it was Peter’s turn and the next day he was going in for a trial. She joined the Christians who prayed fervently for Peter and apparently they were praying for Peter’s release. In their hearts they were waiting for a miracle but right now Peter was here knocking at their door. Peter must have uttered something and Rhoda heard his voice and recognized immediately. She knew and believed it was Peter. But none gathered in the house believed her. She continued to affirm that it was him.

Rhoda innocently trusted that the Lord has answered their prayer. She just believed that Peter was standing at the door and was too excited to even open the door; instead she began convincing the people inside the house that it was Peter. Hardly did anyone trust these little girl’s words. Many times we don’t pay attention to an innocent voice. Mark 10:14 says “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” We should not forbid the innocent children. In here, I can only imagine how the Christians must have felt after seeing Peter with their own eyes. Yes, the Lord answered their prayers. But were they prepared to receive the Lord’s answer in this simple way? Many times we have a plan how the Lord should answer our prayers like Naaman did. II Kings 5:11 says “But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” Naaman was not ready to dip in the river Jordan seven times and be healed of his leprosy. He already had a plan how Elisha should bring healing to him. Lord’s ways are simple and easy.

Do you trust the Lord with a simple and innocent heart? Do you simply believe that the Lord will answer your prayers or do you have a plan how the Lord should answer your prayer? Are you ready to continue with affirmation that the Lord is with you when all around you people do not believe you? A damsel Rhoda was able to say “Yes” to all the questions above. Today it is your turn to say “Yes”. May the Lord help us all to trust Him to answer our prayers His way in His time!