Acts 13:36

DAVID’S SERVICE AND OURS

‘David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep.’

Acts 13:36

The Apostle is showing that certain declarations of Scripture could not refer to David or any mere man. ‘For David, after he had served his own generation, saw corruption; but He Whom God raised again saw no corruption.’ David’s ministry was in one generation, and directly for it; Christ’s for all time alike. David saw corruption; Christ did not.

I. Service.—From what is said of David, his work and end, we may learn that man’s life on earth is meant to be one of service. Even ‘the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.’

(a) Service, not plundering. A man who does not give fair value in the department of industry in which he is engaged, plunders society to that extent. The tradesman who adulterates, or gives deficient measure and weight, or misrepresents the quality of his goods; the professional man who does not give skill and honest application for his fee or salary; the servant who does not give conscientious work; the master who withholds just wages—all plunder in room of serving, or along with serving.

(b) Service, not exacting service. The great end should be to serve. ‘I am among you,’ said Jesus, ‘as one that serveth.’ The service we receive we ought to regard as in the interest of the higher service that we are to render. David, who had so many servants, served in his generation the will of God. The service which a true man receives is but the tools by which he can more effectually do his work.

(c) Service, not idling. A man may neither be dishonest, according to the ordinary standard, nor exacting; but that does not exhaust his obligations in the general economy of things. ‘Thou wicked and slothful servant’ may be the judgment passed on him. To be ‘slothful’ in a world where there is so much to do, and under a Master to Whom we owe so much, is to be ‘wicked.’

II. Effective service.—The only effective service that a man can render is the furtherance of the will of God. ‘David served the counsel of God’ (R.V.). ‘The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand’—nothing else. Seek to know God’s will, and let your activities move in a line with it, and you will be strong and efficient. Let our every effort be as the acted prayer, ‘Thy will be done.’

III. While it is day.—A certain limited time is given for rendering this service. ‘In his own generation.’ ‘Our fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live for ever?’ ‘The night cometh, when no man can work.’ The scaffolding still stands opposite the part of the wall that is given us to build, but it will soon be removed. The soul that is ready to perish may still be rescued, but it will soon be beyond our reach for ever.

IV. The rest that remaineth.—Ministering to God’s will brings this life to a satisfying close, and strengthens the assurance of awaking to a better life. David, after he had served his generation, ‘fell on sleep.’ Tired and thankful, he went to rest. So shall we if we are fellow-workers with God.

Illustration

‘God’s will and purpose runs through all the generations, but the kind of work and mode of working differ at different times and in changed circumstances. The farmer all through the year is working towards raising his wheat, but different processes must be carried on at different seasons; and the farmer who works in a different climate and with different soil must adapt his processes accordingly. That the wheat be successfully raised is the consideration that conditions all else. Now, many who plume themselves on being “faithful” are faithful only to modes and statements which have hardly any living, germinating power in the time and circumstances in which they live. “Become all things to all men that you may save some.” ’