Before He Spoke to Tabitha

Scripture:

“But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” — Acts 9:40 (ESV)

Think:

If you’ve read the Gospels carefully, this scene should sound familiar. Years earlier, Peter had stood in another room where another family was grieving. Jairus’s daughter lay lifeless before them. Jesus had sent everyone outside, taken the little girl by the hand, and spoken the words, “Talitha cumi”—”Little girl, arise” (Mark 5:41). Peter was there. He watched it happen. He never forgot that moment.

Now, years later, Peter walks into another upper room. Once again, mourners fill the house. Once again, a beloved woman lies dead. Once again, everyone is sent outside. Luke intentionally slows the story because he wants us to notice the similarities. But then he highlights one difference that changes everything.

Before Peter says a single word to Tabitha, he kneels and prays.

Jesus never paused to ask the Father for power before raising Jairus’s daughter because the power belonged to Him. Peter kneels because he knows the power does not belong to him. He is not trying to imitate Jesus’ authority; he is completely dependent upon it.

That is one of the most important lessons in the Christian life.

The world tells us to believe in ourselves. The gospel teaches us to depend on Someone greater than ourselves.

Peter understood that the effectiveness of his ministry would never be determined by his experience, his personality, or even his faith. Everything depended upon the presence and power of Christ. Before he spoke to the problem, he first spoke to God.

How often do we reverse that order? We rush into conversations before we’ve prayed. We try to fix people before we’ve sought God’s wisdom. We carry burdens in our own strength instead of laying them before the Lord. We spend more time worrying than worshiping.

Peter reminds us that God’s work is accomplished by people who know how to kneel.

Perhaps that’s why James would later write, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Kneeling is more than a posture of the body; it is a posture of the heart. It is the quiet confession that says, “Lord, unless You move, nothing of eternal value will happen.”

The beautiful truth is that Jesus still honors that kind of dependence. The same Christ who heard Peter’s prayer is still at work today. He delights in using ordinary people who know they cannot accomplish extraordinary things apart from Him.

Application:

What are you trying to carry in your own strength today? Before you make another decision or take another step, spend time with the Lord. Kneel before Him—whether physically or in your heart—and invite Him to do what only He can do.

Prayer:

Jesus, forgive me for relying so often on myself. Teach me to seek You before I act, to pray before I speak, and to depend on Your power instead of my own. Remind me that apart from You I can do nothing, but with You all things are possible according to Your will. Amen.