The Story of Tabitha

The book of Act 9:36-42 tells the story of a female disciple of Jesus Christ named Tabitha which means Dorcas or Gracious. Tabitha was a virtuous woman who spent her time doing good works, always helping the poor and the needy. However, one day, she fell sick and died and her corpse was washed and was laid in an upper room. After her death, some disciples sent a message to Peter who was on mission work in Lydda to come over to Joppa at once.

When Peter arrived at Joppa, he was taken to the upper room where Tabitha's body was laid and he was surrounded by the coats and garments Tabitha made while she was alive. Peter was touched by them so he ordered all the crying widows to go out of the room and knelt and began to pray. Suddenly, after a while, he turned to the dead body and said “Tabitha arise”.

Immediately, Tabitha jerked back to life and sat up with her eyes open. Then Peter held her hand, called the other disciples, and presented her to them. Glory to God! The news of her coming back to life spread like wildfire throughout Joppa and made many people believe in the Lord Jesus.

The life of Tabitha should serve as an example to us all. She lived her life to please God and serve humanity meeting the needs of widows, the poor, and the needy. What a life well spent! And God in his infinite mercy gave her one more chance to do more of the good things she spent her life doing. She is one of the greatest heroines in the Bible. See what the Bible says about our service to humanity.

James 1:27(NKJV)

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Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world

Isa. 1:17 (NIV)

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Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow

Highlights of Tabitha’s life.

1. She was humane.
2. She was not selfish
3. She loved people
4. She loved God
5. She was a bible practitioner
6. She was hospitable (merciful)
7. She was industrious
8. She was highly charitable
9. She found mercy before God and was brought back to life

Do you do these things too? I want you to know that helping widows and serving humanity is good. Recently, the Holy Spirit whispered to my ears that “giving is living.” This means that the more you give the more you live. Life is about giving in many forms and we should all be givers who use our life to serve God and mankind.

If you are reading this post and you haven't given your life to Jesus. I want you to make the most of this opportunity to do so. If you are ready. Pray this prayer:

"Lord Jesus I know that I’m a sinner Jesus, I repent of my sins Jesus, I confess my sins to you Jesus, I accept you as my personal Lord and Saviour. Jesus, I promise to serve you all my life."

If you sincerely prayed the above prayer. I want you to search for any Bible-believing Church of your choice and begin to fellowship there. I would love to hear from you, you can reach me by sending an email to me through apostlepaul@pkgm.org. Receive the grace to be hospitable.