"The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.  And for a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness.  And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance - all of which took about four hundred and fifty years.  And after these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.  And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.  And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'"

Paul is now recounting the history of the people of Israel.  This is a trick he learned from Stephen.

Here is what Paul is working on.  He is looking at the patterns that God has used to govern His people.  This is why Paul points out the forty years pattern.  Also, the establishing of kings, and the removal of kings, all by God's hand - not man's. 

Paul is simply saying:  There is something bigger at work here.  It is not all randomness.

Paul recognizes God's hand.  And this is exactly what we are called to do.

Do you recognize where God is working today?

Maybe we should take a look!