36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. Acts 9:36-43

This is a fascinating story, don’t you think? As I read this, the one thing that struck me was that the Lord had only left the disciples to themselves weeks or months ago. But Peter learned from the Best. He had probably been onsite when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. (I could see the behind-the-scenes scenario after he cleared the room that went something like this: “Lord, I have no idea what to do here. I know you raised Lazarus, but that was you, and I’m me!”)

Peter learned the hard way about faith while Jesus was with him.

Peter put His faith in Jesus Christ to perform this miracle. It was nothing he could have done on his own. People would attribute this miracle to Peter, but he’d be the first to tell them that he was merely a conduit to the God who could raise people from the dead. Peter’s faith wasn’t in himself.

The primary lesson we can learn is that Peter was obedient to pray for this dead woman. The people had expected him to do something big, and he didn’t disappoint. We will never know what anguish or peace or doubt Peter experienced before he prayed for her, but that’s not the point. The point is that he had faith she would be healed.

And she was.