1 Samuel 9

Divine Appointments

 _{Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you will eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. ~ 1 Samuel 9:19}

Have you ever spent an entire day looking for something, only to discover it wasn’t where you expected it to be? Maybe it was your car keys, your glasses, or your cell phone. I personally think there should be a hotline for people who spend fifteen minutes looking for something that’s in their hand the whole time. 1-800-I T S I N Y O U R H A N D

In 1 Samuel 9, Saul set out looking for his father’s lost donkeys. It seemed like an ordinary errand, nothing exciting, nothing spiritual, and certainly nothing that appeared connected to God’s greater plan. But while Saul was focused on finding donkeys, God was arranging a divine appointment that would change the course of his life. Saul thought he was searching for missing animals. God was leading him toward his future.

What an important reminder for us. Sometimes we become frustrated because life doesn’t seem to be moving in the direction we expected. We think we’re dealing with inconveniences, delays, interruptions, and detours. Meanwhile, God is often using those very circumstances to position us for something greater than we can currently see.

As we look at Saul’s journey, think about these three truths that can encourage us when life doesn’t seem to be going according to plan.

1. God Is Working Even When Life Feels Ordinary

There was nothing glamorous about Saul’s assignment. He was simply helping his father search for donkeys. Many of our days feel that way. We go to work, run errands, answer emails, attend meetings, fold laundry, mow the yard, and wonder if anything significant is happening. But God often does His greatest work in the middle of ordinary moments.

Don’t underestimate the value of faithfulness in everyday responsibilities. For example, if you’re serving at church, caring for family members, leading a small group, or encouraging a friend, remember that God often uses seemingly ordinary acts of obedience to accomplish extraordinary purposes.

2. God’s Detours Often Lead to His Destiny

Saul traveled from place to place without finding the donkeys. From his perspective, the mission wasn’t going very well. What he didn’t know was that every step was bringing him closer to Samuel and closer to God’s purpose for his life. We often view delays as problems but God often views them as preparation.

If a door has closed, a plan has changed, or something hasn’t happened as quickly as you hoped, trust that God may be positioning you for something you cannot see yet. For example, a job opportunity that didn’t work out may be making room for a better one. A ministry assignment that changed may be preparing you for greater effectiveness later.

3. God Knows More About Your Future Than You Do

Before Saul ever arrived, God had already spoken to Samuel about him. Nothing about this encounter surprised God. The same is true for us. While we often worry about tomorrow, God is already there. He knows the opportunities, challenges, relationships, and blessings that lie ahead.

Instead of worrying about every detail of the future, focus on being faithful today. Spend time with God, follow His leading, and trust Him with what you cannot control. When uncertainty arises, remind yourself that God is never caught off guard.

One thing I’ve realized over the years is that some of the most important moments in my life began as something completely ordinary. There were times when I was simply trying to be faithful with what was in front of me. I wasn’t looking for a new ministry opportunity, writing books, or planning future projects. I was raising kids, serving in church, helping others grow in their faith, and doing the next thing God placed in front of me. Looking back, I can see how many divine appointments were hidden inside those everyday moments. Relationships were formed, doors opened, and opportunities appeared that I never could have planned myself. Even though they seemed like small events, now I can see that God was connecting pieces of a much larger picture. What felt ordinary to me was actually part of His preparation for what was ahead.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God with the journey, even when it feels like you’re searching for donkeys instead of fulfilling destiny. The God who guided Saul’s steps is guiding yours as well. Nothing in your life is wasted when it’s placed in His hands. The delays, detours, interruptions, and unexpected turns may actually be leading you toward a divine appointment that God has already prepared. Stay faithful in the ordinary things. Keep showing up, keep trusting Him and keep following His leading. You may discover one day that what looked like an inconvenience was actually God’s invitation into something far greater than you imagined.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Samuel 9

1 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 

2 And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, “Please take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 

4 So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

5 When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.”

6 And he said to him, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.”

7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”

8 And the servant answered Saul again and said, “Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.” 

9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)

10 Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met some young women going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”

12 And they answered them and said, “Yes, there he is, just ahead of you. Hurry now; for today he came to this city, because there is a sacrifice of the people today on the high place. 

13 As soon as you come into the city, you will surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time you will find him.” 

14 So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, 

16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

17 So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” 

18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Please tell me, where is the seer’s house?”

19 Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. 

20 But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?”

21 And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak like this to me?”

22 Now Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited; there were about thirty persons. 

23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it apart.’ ” 

24 So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25 When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the top of the house. 

26 They arose early; and it was about the dawning of the day that Samuel called to Saul on the top of the house, saying, “Get up, that I may send you on your way.” And Saul arose, and both of them went outside, he and Samuel.

Saul Anointed King

27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” And he went on. “But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the word of God.”

Journal:

• Are there ordinary responsibilities in my life that I may be overlooking as opportunities to serve God?
• What disappointment, delay, or detour am I currently struggling to understand?
• How has God used unexpected circumstances to guide me in the past?
• Is there an area where I need to trust God more with my future?
• What is one practical way I can remain faithful in the season I am currently in?