ESOCS Devotional 18 March 2022
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 9:15-27
MEMORY VERSE: “And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! This same shall reign over my people.”1 Samuel 9: 17 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Saul came from a family of leadership and influence. His father, Kish, was wealthy, as evidenced by the many donkeys he had, which was the standard in their time (1 Samuel 9:1). Saul was handsome, one who made a good impression on others and a physical stalwart (v 2). However, he had his shortcomings – sense of insecurity and lack of confidence; he said he was from an insignificant family of his tribe. These speaks a lot about him. However, our concern here is who he was, what he was doing, and how he came from obscurity to limelight; and the lessons.
Saul was sent by his father on a mission – to find their stray donkeys. He went with one of their servants. He was not known in the tribe. It was during this search that he got his appointment to reign over Israel and save them from their arch enemy, the Philistines (1 Samuel 9:16).
Often we think that events just happen to us, but from this story, God may use common occurrences to lead us where He wants. We must see such situations as potential divine appointments designed by God to shape our lives. Think of all the good and bad events that have affected you lately. Can you see God’s purpose in them? Perhaps, He is building certain quality in your life or leading you to serve Him in a new area or way, which He specifically carved out or designed to be so. Saul had no knowledge about Samuel, despite that they lived in the same city, Benjamin. This showed he was ignorant of spiritual matters. Again, he looked pessimistically at his circumstances and did not realize the resources he now had with God’s help. But from nobody, he became somebody. God did it so for a purpose (but he goofed – he never became God’s man). Such is life. But such is one of the things we must avoid in life.
- How many God ordained opportunities have you wasted?
- Ask God to send such opportunities to you and give you the ability to act well.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Zechariah 4:6, 8, 9
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ESOCS Devotional 18 March 2022
