Acts 13:36-41

God always keeps His promises!

It is up to us to accept them in Jesus. His sacrifice is beyond our understanding…that God could offer His only begotten Son to die for our sins.

Instead of turning His back to Israel, God took on flesh and drew near in the person of Christ. Jesus came to earth "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Our Savior fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Old Testament law on behalf of humankind and died on the cross to save all who would trust in Him. (John 1:17;  Romans 8:3-4) Sadly, countless people blinded by sin have failed to acknowledge Him and receive His grace. (John 1:11)

The God of grace desires to draw all people to Himself, open our eyes to the gospel and change our stony hearts. But our salvation is not possible unless we cease striving to obtain right standing with God based on our own works. We must place our faith in Christ alone and confess we need His grace. First5 

Romans 8:11 Reminds me that the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is now living in me. There is nothing too difficult for my God (Jeremiah 32:27), and he has placed his Spirit inside of me. With the help of his Spirit, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). 

I’m exceedingly thankful today that Jesus did not take the easy way out. In the garden when he prayed before his arrest, he asked his Father if there was any other way. God’s love for humankind was so incredible that he did not spare his own Son. There was not an easy way out. And so Jesus walked every excruciating step of his hard path. He did it for me and for you. The next time I want to resist his Spirit’s nudge in me to do something out of my comfort zone, I will remember that my Jesus did the hardest thing for me, and so I can do hard things too when I walk with him. Life Church

Acts 13:36-41

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ” The New King James Version

The resurrection of Christ was the great proof of his being the Son of God. It was not possible he should be held by death, because he was the Son of God, and therefore had life in himself, which he could not lay down but with a design to take it again. The sure mercies of David are that everlasting life, of which the resurrection was a sure pledge; and the blessings of redemption in Christ are a certain earnest, even in this world. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

What God saw in David was a deep desire to do His will. Throughout David’s entire life that drive never changed. Unlike King Saul, who was a self-willed man, David confessed his sins and quickly repented of them. The NKJV Study Bible

When David died, his body returned to dust just like everyone else’s. David was speaking of the Messiah, who would be raised from the dead as the final proof of His divine Sonship. Everyone who believes is justified: Justification is a legal term meaning “declared innocent”. It is a legal declaration that a person is acquitted and absolved. It is by justification that a person is righteous and acceptable to God. The death of Christ was the payment. Faithllife Study Bible

1 Kings 2:10 So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.

Acts 2:29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Isaiah 53:11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities.

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look among the nations and watch—Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.