The physician Luke wrote, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell you what you ought to do. And when the angel which spoke unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually. And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa”, and in chapter ten and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Peter went up upon the housetop to pray” where we read:
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near unto the city,
Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
The verse begins, “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near unto the city, ...” Luke began with the words, “on the morrow” which means “upon the next day”, “as they went on their journey” or “while and during the time the two servants and soldier of Cornelius were traveling”, “and drew near unto the city” which means “were close to and approached the dwelling place, abode, habitation and town of Joppa” the following happened. Luke shared how the two servants and soldier of Cornelius traveled toward Joppa, and as they approached the city, the following occurred.
The verse continues, “Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:” Luke added the words, “Peter went up” which means “Peter, whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples, ascended” “upon the housetop to pray” or “toward the top or roof of the dwelling place or building in which he was staying ” “about the sixth hour” which means “around the sixth hour of the day or at noon”. Luke shared how “Peter” ascended to the roof of the house in which he was staying around noontime.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how God was working simultaneously in “Peter” as He was in “Cornelius”. While “Cornelius' servants and soldier” were traveling, “Peter” decided to go to the roof of the house in “Simon's” house. We shall see what God and “Peter” do upon the housetop in our next few verses, but for now, let us realize, “God works on both sides”. There was a directive from the Lord to “Cornelius”, and “Peter”, in his natural course of living, went to the rooftop of “Simon's house”. God loves people, and He desires to have a loving personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. Those who humble themselves before Him, repent of their sins and ask for His forgiveness will receive His grace and mercy to be granted everlasting life with Him. God works in ways we do not always see, and when there are instructions to be obeyed on one side, we may be assured, God is working on the other side as well.
Next time Luke shares how Peter, “became very hungry” and “fell into a trance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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