EVERYTHING PREPARED
24th May 2017
In 1 Samuel 9 we have recorded the first occasion when Saul came into contact with Samuel. Saul and his servant were searching for lost donkeys, and Samuel was visiting a shrine in the town of Zuph.
Samuel had been severely disappointed because the Children of Israel were asking him to appoint a king to lead them like other nations. He felt that in asking this they were rejecting the rule of God. No doubt this occupied his mind as he travelled to Zuph to celebrate a special sacrifice. God had already spoken about the situation and told Samuel to appoint a king, but also to warn Israel of what having such a king would entail.
The day before God had confided in Samuel (v16) that He was sending a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who He had chosen to fulfil this role. Samuel in turn had told the catering team to take a special choice portion of the sacrifice and set it apart as he was expecting a special guest.
In the spirit of expectation, Samuel hears more detail from God: He knows Saul’s donkeys have been found; not only has a special meal been prepared, but also a bed, and a personal message from God. He was to tell this man that whatever he was given to do, God was going to be with him.
I love the security of knowing that God always knows the future. He has prepared the way, and I can trust the detail to Him. David hears from God that “he has prepared a table before him in the presence of his enemies.” (Ps. 23:5) We have also been given, “everything we need for life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Jesus is at this moment preparing our eternal future and will come again to take us into all that He is planning.
Today, He is with you, knows everything. It may not be ‘lost donkeys’, but the things that concern you, concern Him. So keep trusting, keep seeking, keep expecting, keep talking to Him about all that concerns your life.
God is outside of time, never early, never late - always ready and prepared to come alongside you.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
