While Out Looking for Donkeys
Read: 1 Samuel 9-10:1
In 1 Samuel 9, Saul was sent out by his father to look for their lost donkeys. He ended up being anointed as King of Israel.
Saul’s father lost his donkeys. He instructed his son Saul and a servant to go look for them and not return until they found them. It was dry, dusty and hot, as the donkeys were likely wandering far to find water and vegetation. After a few days of traveling around 75 miles, Saul gives up. His servant says, “Wait, I know of a godly man, a seer, who lives in the next town, lets go ask him!” Saul has no money, nothing to offer the man, since they ate all the food they were given to travel with. The servant wholeheartedly believes in this seer, this man Samuel, so digs deep into his pockets and finds a quarter of a shekel of silver.
Imagine Saul and his servant, hungry, dusty, distraught, and despondent showing up at Samuel’s door. Then, imagine the shock of Saul’s life, when Samuel says to him, “I already know who you are, and God wants you to be the king of Israel.” God had been steering Saul’s path even through dry, dusty wandering toward the life and calling He had prepared for him.
What a moment of whiplash that must have been for Saul. He goes looking for donkeys and finds God has been looking for him all along. God has been steering his path toward Samuel, toward his destiny as King of Israel.
How many times have we been in the midst of the mundane and the menial, the doldrums of lost hope, the wind gone out of our sails?
Would it encourage you to know that God might be directing your paths? That you feel like all you have been given the task to do is mind numbing and impossible, while God s biggest surprise of your life is just down that same road and a little bit further…
Consider these words from God:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Phil. 4:6-7
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Take some time to pray now
Ask God to give you clarity and confidence in the calling he has for you.
Tell God in your own words how you want to know his will and want to see his kingdom come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Listen for God to speak gently to your soul. His voice is rarely audible, sometimes hardly perceivable unless we focus our minds on him and his intentions for us.
And finally, like Saul, dare to believe in the one true God, the one who has led you this far. Tell God you trust that he will provide everything you need to fulfill everything he wants for you this day, and in the days to come.