November 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

Acts 9:36-43

³⁶Now 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.
³⁷And 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.
³⁸And 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.
³⁹Then 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.
⁴⁰But 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.
⁴¹And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
⁴²And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
⁴³And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Devotional:

In John's Gospel we heard from the lips of the Lord Jesus about the family of God. Now we look into the period of the early church, after our Lord has died, risen, and ascended into heaven. What does God tell us in the Acts of the Apostles about His family? Indirectly He tells us about His family through the life of Dorcas.

Dorcas was probably a widow or unmarried. There is no evidence that she had any family responsibilities. But she was a member of the family of God and she shared herself, her goods, the fruit of her hands, her love, with other family members. No wonder they loved her!

In the providence of God we have in our churches women like Dorcas, who live alone, without families of their own, but members of the family of God. What is our relationship with them? Do we include them in the activities of the church and its fellowship? If they have a financial need, do we as the body of Christ help them meet it? If they have need of a lawyer, a carpenter, a doctor, an errand-boy, a counselor, a gardener, do we offer our services? Do we invite them to our homes for meals or visits? As fellow members of the family of God we should do these things quite spontaneously.

Could we adopt a widow as an aunt for our children? God has commanded us to care for widows and orphans—the alone ones. What reason do we have for being so casual in obeying His provision for social security?

And as for the woman alone, whether a widow or unmarried, she must be willing to communicate her need and to accept from her sisters and brothers in Christ what they offer as coming from God. This is God's way and all of us should rejoice in His concern for each one of His people.