Acts 13: Are You A Man After God’s Heart?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
1. Hands (V1-13)
V2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
During the time of the early church there was already great teamwork in action. Though the church ordained and sent out Barnabas and Saul as missionaries to preach the Gospel of Christ to the regions beyond, yet God expected the church to support them in prayers and finance. The laying of hands was God’s way of identification that the church and their missionaries were of one heart and one mission of winning the lost to Jesus Christ.
V3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
2. Heart (V14-43)
V22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
God removed Saul and promoted David as the next king of Israel. Of all the kings of Israel and Judah, God only commended David as a man after His own heart, because he was truly a man who loved God, knew how to repent his sins, and turned to God. Hence God blessed David to be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
V23 “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:”
3. Hear (V44-52)
V44 “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”
The Jewish leaders persecuted Paul and Barnabas and chased them out of the city because they were preaching to the Gentiles who desired to hear the Gospel. However they were not discouraged as they went to another city to continue preaching the Gospel with joy.
V50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a man after Your heart.
