Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-17 Focus: 1 Samuel 9:3, 15-17 – Now the donkey’s belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” Now the day before Saul came God had revealed this to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.” When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him. “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
I grew up as young boy in a community where herding was a common practice. I learnt the good and bad moments of herding. I remember one time when I was of overtaken with much play in the herding field alongside other herds’ boys and my father’s cattle wondered away; it was very stressful looking for lost cattle. When I finally got the cattle, they had entered another man’s garden and had eaten some of his crops. The report reached my dad and I will admit that his disciple of good spunks on my buttocks for being lazy was something I will never forget. Contrary, the spunks made me be more careful each day I went to graze and I later would be one of his best sons in herding.
Sometimes it is so difficult to believe that there is God’s hand in every trouble that he can let us go through. This happens because some challenges seem very stressful, brings lots of worries, pains and tears. Some leads to loss of job or loved ones while others may lead to one being physically disabled. Troubles often causes loss of resources and people are left to live a standard lower than their initial way of life. Some people have committed suicide when they can’t bear it anymore; while to others, divorce or separation has become their solution. Well, Saul’s father Kish had his share of the trouble, his donkeys got lost. He instructs his son Saul alongside with another servant to go and look for them. They walk to several areas and takes a few days looking for them but all in vain. Then finally when Saul is almost loosing hope and wanting to come back then the servant encourages him that there is a seer in the city ahead who could help them locate them. Prophets used to be called seers. He obeys the voice of the servant and goes to the city. Upon reaching, he finds that the seer had just returned from journey. When the seer (Samuel) sees Saul coming, God reminds him that, “this is the man I said I would send to you, anoint him to be the king of my people Israel.”
Why would God allow the donkeys to get lost? Why would he not just direct Saul to the seer on the first day rather than making him search for long? Sometimes when faced with life challenges we tend to asks many ‘why’ questions. Likewise, the present world challenges with disease and deaths, economic collapse, loss of jobs, racial and international tensions among other conflicts has caused a lot of ‘why’ questions. Nonetheless, we need to realize that our present challenges can be for our good if we seek the will of God with each one of them. Just like he knew the right time for Saul to get to the seer, he has the perfect timing for each of them. He is able to use our challenges to raise us to another level with Him. We must not give up but obey the voice of God and do all that He tells us even when we are in the mix of the troubles. Saul obeyed the voice of a servant, that’s some humility! We need to be careful and listen to the small voices that God is using to talk to us. The end result of Saul’s searching was his anointing to become the first king of God’s nation, Israel. Joseph at one times stated to his brothers that, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what’s now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20. Paul confirms the same in Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Written by:
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Director Bethesda Faith Ministries
(partnered with Interlocking Ministries)
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