1 SAMUEL 9

I can honestly say that in all the times I’ve read the Bible through, I don’t remember ever reading this story before. I mean, I know I must have, but it was apparently one of those things that got filed away in one of my more dusty brain corners. But boy, did it ever get my attention today!

I loved this story—God used some donkeys to set up a meeting between His man (Samuel) and the future king of Israel (Saul). As the drama unfolds in the chapter, Saul goes with one of his father’s servants to look for some lost donkeys. After being gone for a long time, Saul begins to worry that they will become the lost ones and suggests they turn around and go home. But the servant remembers that there is (conveniently!) a "man of God" in the town they’ve stopped at and suggests that they find him and ask him where to look for the donkeys.

At first, Saul is skeptical. He’s worried that they don’t have anything to give to the prophet. He’s worried that they will run out of food. But the servant convinces him, and they go. When they enter the town, they ask the first man they see where they can find the prophet. Of course, this man turns out to be Samuel, and God has already filled him in on all His plans regarding Saul.

My favorite part of the story is Samuel’s response to Saul’s question, Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is? Samuel said, "I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found." (vs 19-20) I love it! Saul never even gets a chance to ask about the donkeys before Samuel says, "Don’t worry about that. Problem solved."

Saul was just focused on the donkeys, but all the while, God had much bigger and more important things in mind. So, as I’m reading this, the famous words of Jesus (which He used so often after parables) came to mind: He who has ears to hear, let him hear. And, hopefully, what we hear God saying is, Hey you! What are you so worried about? Would you relax already?! I’ve got things under control.

God is in the business of making divine appointments. And He doesn’t need our help to make them or carry them out! Usually, what He needs is for us to stop worrying or stop trying to make something happen when it’s outside of His timeline. So don’t worry. You don’t need to have a gift for the prophet. And yes, He has found your lost donkeys. If you’re going to worry about anything today, worry about keeping your eyes open to see Him and the appointments He has made for you!