Of Chosen Things

Acts 13:20-22

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Notice how gently Paul preaches to these who have endured so much. He does not come in with a big yardstick like he does to the Romans. Nor does he come in with a tall tale of great suffering as with the Galatians. Instead, he rocks the cradle as gently as would a mother her troubled babes. Carefully he teaches, lest at any time they wake. See, the judges and the prophets were sent for the disorder in the house. You thought that the law, the priests, and the portion appointed was the end of it, did you not. So, he dealt with them until the kings appeared. They asked and God granted their request. But Saul could not have been considered a very good king. He was even the son of Cis, a man who sought his asses over his own son. But it should be seen that such a one was even of the tribe of Benjamin, favorite grandson of Abraham. It is even this which had eleven older brothers; then when Joseph held him captive, the others thought him lost to them. Even when you have messed up and are out of God's will, you are never far from his plan. Just Abraham's house has been laid with care, so God also will keep all his house. It may be forty or four hundred years spent in waiting upon him. But know this, the journey to seek the lost of God's house will not be in vain. At no other time has a priest, whether high or not, been chosen. This is because God, so appointed, stands through time. Thus, will he also fulfill all the purposes of his office.

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Jesus in his office both brought in the kings chosen by man at the people's request; then he also removed them from the house once their time had been fulfilled. See, you cannot go both your way and God's way. Somewhere, someone is wrong. But look how gracious God is. Not only does he remove the error, but he also corrects it. See, he raised up another, even David, a king unto himself. How wonderful it is that God appoints for himself a king. Not only does he do that but he himself also anoints his king. Finally, he makes his king accountable to himself and to the people. See, for this cause would David also fulfill all God's will. Just as Moses was faithful in his office according to Hebrews 3 of minister unto the people, so also David was faithful in his. For it is not that David was perfect. Rather his faithfulness named him "a man after" God's heart. See, you need not have all your stuff together and your ducks in a row to chase after him. You do not even have to wait until your life is right or your house is in order. You can chase after the heart of God right now. Have some belief in him that he may be found of you. See, that was what went so wrong with Saul. He gave the people what they deserved. The ruler was one even as rebellious and unbelieving as they. You might want to stay in God's house. But your disorder and all your baggage cannot remain there with you. So, if you wish to hide yourself among them, it also must go. For so God has been faithful unto the high priestly office for his people and of his house. You might have some messed up situations, as did David. See, like Saul, his daddy had some issues too. But when you make God your interceptor, then all your days will see success. The people also will prosper in the house because of Christ. Even if we were not faithful, yet he still is.