January 1 - She Opened Not The Gate For Gladness.

 
Acts 12:14
“And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.”
 
She.
She did not open the door immediately.
 
Peter had just been miraculously released from prison by the angel of the Lord.
 
Acts 12:12
“And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
 
He came to Mary’s house and knocked on the door behind which there were many praying for him to be released.
 
Acts 12:13
“And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.”
 
Their answer to prayer was literally knocking on the door of the house.
 
She was the servant, and perhaps the first one to hear the knock.
 
She knew his voice.
It was familiar to her for she must have heard him preach often, yet she was too stunned to do the most logical thing.
 
Instead of opening the door to let him in, she ran to tell the others that the Lord had granted their request. The very thing they had prayed for had happened, and she was overwhelmed with gladness and joy.
 
Acts 12:15
“And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.”
 
She gave the praise report and they did not believe her.
The knocking continued, perhaps getting louder and louder to prove he was outside.
 
She had told them, but they had to see it for themselves.
 
Acts 12:16
“But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”
 
Rhoda serves as an example of the gladness and joy that we can receive when the Lord answers our persistent prayers