Unstoppable! 'God Promised David Our Savior' — Acts 13:16, 20-23

Friday, July 25, 2025

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So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet [the people in the synagogue], and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me.

...

"All [of God's provision for Israel from Joseph's death through the leadership of Joshua] took about 450 years.

"After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.'

"And it is one of King David's descendants, Jesus, who is God's promised Savior of Israel!"

— Acts 13:16, 20-23 NLT

Key Thought

The list of the most celebrated leaders in Israel's history included Moses, Joshua, and King David. David, however, was more than a great leader. He was the most famous psalmist of Scripture. He was the victorious commander of Israel's armies and established Israel as an economic, military, and political power. While flawed, Scripture testifies that David was "a man after [God's] own heart." Both Matthew and Luke emphasized that Jesus was a descendant of David and fully worthy to fulfill the promise of God to David to have someone of his family line on the throne forever.* Also, Paul was emphatic with this audience familiar with Israel's history: God's promise to keep a descendant of David on Israel's throne forever was fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, like David, was more than just a good leader; he was "God's promised Savior of Israel!" As Paul later said to the Corinthians, all of God's promises find their "Yes!" and "Amen!" in and through Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:19-20).

* See the Related Scripture Readings below for more on Jesus' genealogy and his position as a descendant of David reigning forever.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God and tender Father, thank you for your faithfulness to your people through the ages. Thank you for your mercy and grace when our ancestors were not faithful. Thank you for fulfilling your promises for us by sending Jesus. I believe Jesus is Lord, Christ, Savior, and King. I honor you for sending him to save me. I thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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8 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Can God really use someone like me? Max Lucado writes about Samuel's anointing David king of Israel and reminds us that God uses all sorts of misfits.
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See All 8 Related Resources about Acts 13:16,20-23

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 13:16, 20-23 NLT — So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet [the people in the synagogue], and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me. ... "All [of God's provision for Israel from Joseph's death through the leadership of Joshua] took about 450 years. "After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.' "And it is one of King David's descendants, Jesus, who is God's promised Savior of Israel!"

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About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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