Acts 9:36-43 :

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.

It is pretty obvious from this passage that Tabitha was known for her righteous actions. When she got sick and died, it must have come as a surprise to those who thought that only bad people get sick. I have found that this kind of thinking persists today. The fact is, both bad and good people are under the effects of the fall of mankind and we all need help on a day-to-day basis.

Just because we get sick, doesn’t mean that we can’t be healed. In fact, healing is clearly one of the things that Jesus and His disciples did a lot of. We shouldn’t be surprised when a Christian heals another Christian through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is very biblical!

The problem I often have with miracles is knowing who is behind them. This was the same problem in Jesus’ day. The Pharisees thought that Jesus miracles came from Satan but they were coming from God. It is very important that we not misjudge where the miracles come from. One of the signs that that helps to prove if a miracle comes from God is to see if it has a good effect on those whom God loves. In this case, Peter raises a woman, known for her good works, back from the dead. You can’t have a much more beneficial and amazing miracle than that.

It is frustrating to me when some “miracle workers” either do miracles that are difficult to verify or ones that don’t really add value to someone’s life. If someone raises someone back from the dead, it is obvious that someone is getting value.

This is yet another example that through sickness and even death many came to know the Lord.