S) "20 As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s household?"
1 Samuel 9:20 (NASB)
O) Saul was the son of a wealthy Benjamite, named Kish. In the beginning of this chapter, we learned that Kish was missing some donkeys, so he sent Saul with a servant to find the lost animals. After their journey was winding down (they had no food left, and had searched a considerable amount of land), they were about to give up and return home. Saul's servant suggested they seek the LORD on the matter, as Samuel's home town was near them (see vv.1-14). Having been prepared by God, Samuel was ready for Saul to come along, and he was told on sight that this would be the first king of Israel, to deliver them from the Philistines and establish God's kingdom (see v.15-17). This is the context, these are the events that led up to Saul being anointed as Israel's first king. There were lost donkeys. Obviously, as the story unfolds, there are much more important issues at hand for Saul to consider, but I love what we read about who God is, in the above verse. God didn't simply tell Saul that there were weightier things than donkeys. God didn't ask him to ignore his first responsibility, because of some greater good to be done. In His sovereign planning, God relieved Saul of the duty by handling the issue separately. This settled the matter in Saul's mind, so he was fully available to God, through the ministry of Samuel, to set to work immediately for God's other purposes. This is not always how God works (see Matthew 8:21-22), but when He does, the grace is amazing.
A) When this brief story of Saul (because, certainly not all of his life was this good), is put in context with other parts of the Bible (especially Matthew 6:25-34), we can see that this is consistent with God's character. He doesn't always address my peripheral concerns the way I might expect, but trusting His promises while I pursue Him first, and put His kingdom first, will help me better appreciate the amazing grace He reveals, when I look back upon my life. It is hard to relinquish control at times, but time after time I gain testimonies about His grace and provision, when I let go of my concerns, in order to seek Him fully.
P) Father, Your goodness is not debatable. You have proven Yourself good to me, over and over and over. Yet, I confess, I still have a hard time relinquishing my concerns, my desires, my fears, to the grace I know that You have in store for me. Help me to trust that You will provide and care for all of my needs, and the things You do not handle (at least, not as I expect), are because You know a better way. You are nothing but good, so I need to trust that everything I let go of... it is always worth it in the end, so I can pursue You more fully. Help me find my satisfaction, security, and peace, in pursuing You alone. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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