WEDNESDAY May 3, 2023
Widows Weeping
And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Acts 9:38-39
Lydda is in central Israel, while Joppa was a seaport. This is actually where Jonah ran away by ship from the call of God, to Tarsus. God had called him to preach in Nineveh, but he disobeyed Him, until being thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish! The city of Joppa has changed. It has now become a thriving, modern city in Israel––the city of Tel Aviv.
Dorcas was a seamstress, and her charitable deeds included making garments for the many widows. In their affliction, Dorcas had started a beautiful ministry to widows––lending them a hand of friendship, comfort, and charity. She was gentle and kind, and the widows she ministered to mourned greatly for her.
Knowing the Lord was using Peter’s life in such a miraculous way, the disciples decided to send for him. He entered the upper room, and the widows, weeping showed him the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made for them when she was alive.
In the book of James, we find that Christianity includes careful consideration of widows: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction... (James 1:27 KJV). In 1 Timothy 5:3, 5, we are instructed to honor widows who are really widows ... Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. God watches over the orphans and widows.
Do you know of a widow who could do with a hand of friendship, a visit, a kind word of comfort, or your charitableness?
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.
~Psalm 68:5~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
