 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you'.
But you have now rejected your God, Who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans". 1 Samuel 10:17-19 NIV And through a process Saul was selected to be king over the Israelites. Get this. When they called Saul’s name, as the chosen king, they could not find him. Saul was hiding. They eventually located him, and when he stood amongst the people he was a head taller than any of them. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 10:24 NIV See, there came a point in the lives of the Israelites where they wanted a king. So God gave them a king. Saul. Saul, already elevated in stature, now is being elevated in status. Little did they know, the thing they so desired (a king) would drop them to their knees. Hmmm. Something to ponder. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz Be careful of what you desire for it may just be the thing that drops you to your knees.  Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, Where did you go? And Saul said, To look for the donkeys, and when we found them nowhere, we went to Samuel.
Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, what did Samuel say to you? And Saul said to his uncle, He told us plainly that the donkeys were found. But of the matter of the kingdom of which Samuel spoke he told him nothing. 1 Samuel 10:14-16 AMPC When Saul arrived home he was noticeably different. God’s Anointing was on Saul. Imagine his uncle thinking, “I can’t put my finger on it but there is something different about you.” Oh, Father, that is my prayer today. Let You so continue to change us that it is noticeable to everyone around. In Jesus Name, Amen. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you will show yourself to be a prophet with them; and you will be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:6 AMPC  So, let’s come back to the servant. Saul’s servant. The guy he picked to go with him on his ‘donkey finding mission’. (1 Samuel 9:3)
The servant shared information, one might say wisdom, with Saul. At the time, the servant didn’t realize that the information that he possessed, and was willing to share, would be critical to fulfilling the destiny of Saul. Critical to fulfilling the purpose of God. Said another way, he didn’t even understand that he was being used to fulfill God’s plan for providing the nation of Israel with a king. He just thought he was on a mission to find some lost donkeys. Let us never forget that our role, our purpose, no matter how big or small, may be just what is needed to propel someone else to their destiny. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  Now, Saul was tall, dark and handsome. Just kidding. He was tall and handsome. Well, two out of three ain’t bad, huh? On a serious note, Saul was unusually tall. From Saul’s shoulders and upward he was higher than anyone else. Definitely noticeable in a crowd. One might say head and shoulders above the rest. 😀
So imagine when Samuel saw Saul. My mind tells me he might have been thinking to himself, “Wow! That dude is tall. Where did he come from?” And imagine his reaction when he then heard the Lord say to him, “That’s My man!” That’s not exactly what the Lord said, though. The LORD told Samuel that is the guy I was telling you about. He shall reign over My people. Saul then walked up to Samuel and asked him where they might find the man of God. Saul doesn’t even realize Samuel is the guy he is looking for nor does he even know that his life is about to be changed forever. So, long story short, Samuel invites Saul and his servant to eat with him and at the same time tells Saul not to worry about the donkeys that were lost three days ago because they have been found. Samuel also says to Saul, “And for whom are all the desirable things of Israel? Are they not for you and for all your father’s house?” (1 Samuel 9:20) Imagine what Saul is thinking. Who is this guy? How did he know we lost the donkeys three days ago? And why is he talking gibberish about me being the desire of Israel? Dude, are you confused? Do you even know who I am? I am a Benjamite from the smallest of all the tribes. SMALLEST!!! And my family? I guess you hadn’t heard. We are nobodies in the rank and file of the families within our own tribe. I think you might have the wrong guy. He might even look over at the servant who has traveled with him and whisper something like, “Are you sure this is the guy? You know. The man of God.” Now Saul does pretty much tell Samuel he has the wrong guy but Samuel doesn’t even provide a rebuttal. The next day, before Saul leaves, Samuel asked Saul to speak with him in private. In private, Samuel anoints Saul with oil and lets him know he will be prince over God’s heritage. Check this out. Saul wasn’t looking to be king. His mission was finding his Dad’s donkeys. He was fulfilling one purpose and found the purpose of God for his life. God used a circumstance, call it a crisis for one (his dad), to fulfill His plan for a nation. Not only that but Saul thought he was limited by his tribe, by his heritage, by his background, by his past. Saul’s purpose was so much bigger than what he could see. Saul’s purpose may have been bigger than his dreams. Imagine that! So much to ponder. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 Note: Today we are in 1 Samuel Chapter 9 |
Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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