God Directs Our Lives Series

1 Sam 10:1-8 GOD DIRECTS OUR LIVES ES 31 Jan 15 1537

We saw last week how God prepares a king for Israel.

• He led Saul to Samuel, and prepares Samuel to anoint him king.

• The two met because God made it happen. God did it out of compassion for Israel, to prepare them a king.

Samuel finally anoints Saul as king, in 1 Samuel 10. Let’s read 1 Sam 10:1-8.

Samuel says Saul will experience THREE signs when he leaves him after the anointing. These are the ASSURANCES from God for Saul’s concerns.

There are THREE things in Saul’s mind at this point:

(1) Finding his father’s donkeys. That was the initial reason why he left his house. At this point it hasn’t been resolved.

(2) He has no money with him. This is a real need.

1 Sam 9 tells us when they decided to go to the town and look for the seer, Saul said (9:7), “What can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

The servant has only a quarter of a shekel of silver, and he said, “I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” (9:8)

(3) Now he is thrusted with a new responsibility to lead Israel. Not sure if he can cope with this.

So he has a problem at hand (donkeys), a need that is pressing (no money and food), and now a new challenge in the coming days (kingship).

• But God led him to this place. God initiated it and He orchestrated everything to this point. Saul has to learn to trust God.

• Billy Graham: “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” When God calls, He enables.

And that’s what we see here. God directs and provides. This is true of Saul and this is true for each one of us.

1. God ASSURES Saul that He will take care of his “problem”.

• When Samuel first met him, he said - 9:20 “As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found.”

• When he anoints him in 1 Sam 10 he said: “When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, `The donkeys you set out to look for have been found…” (10:2)

• Two men would tell him where the lost donkeys are.

It is interesting to note that the issue of the lost donkeys featured prominently in the discourse. God cares about our practical needs! It may be a small matter but He knows our concerns. God cares for our troubles.

2. God ASSURES Saul that his material needs will be met.

Saul and servant came with nothing, but the moment he saw Samuel, he was ushered into a feast.

• 1 Sam 9:22-24 22Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited-about thirty in number. 23Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside." 24So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, `I have invited guests.'" And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

• That’s specially-prepared mutton soup! (Reminds me of the one Tony and Siew Gake prepared for us.)

• Samuel set him in the best place and presented to him the best dish. God prepares the BEST for him.

And finally when Saul leaves Samuel after the anointing - 1 Sam 10:3-4

• 3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.”

• Two men will provide the food he needs for the return trip home. God prepares what he needs. God cares about our needs.

Last week Sis Linda shared this testimony. A few months back we were raising funds for the church van. Linda just graduated from TCA College and jobless, she has $40 with her but felt led to pledge an offering instead. So she tells the Lord she will offer $400, still wondering where the money come from.