Bible Truth #377 - Acts 13:36

Acts 13:36

“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;

Paul was preaching to the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch because he was asked to deliver a word of encouragement, so he did. Part of his message included that statement: after David had served God’s purpose he died. The same can be said not only of every King of Israel but of every man who ever lived or will live. God works out everything according to His purpose (Ephesians 1:11).

- God fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57:2, Psalm 138:8)

- God orders the steps of man (Proverbs 16:9)

- A man may think he makes plans but it’s God’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21)

- God directs our heart like a channel of water wherever He pleases. (Proverbs 21:1)

- Not only are our steps directed by the Lord, our very life is not our own, it’s God’s (Jeremiah 10:23)

- God, when speaking through Jeremiah to His CHOSEN people, and by application to His Elect, said that the thoughts He has toward us were of peace and not evil, to give us an EXPECTED END (Jeremiah 29:11)

- We become children of God NOT by human decision. (John 1:13)

- A man can’t even believe in Jesus Christ until God works in him and MAKES him believe (John 6:29)

- God is working in us to will and to do according to HIS good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)

- We were created for His good pleasure (Revelation 4:11)

The point is that our very existence is at God’s pleasure. He can do with us as He pleases, AND DOES.

As an addendum, it should be noted that Paul & Barnabas returned the following week and it is written that the whole city turned out to hear him, and all those appointed to eternal life, believed (Acts 13:48), and all those not appointed to eternal life, did not believe.

We become children of God NOT by human decision (John 1:13).