How can we prepare to serve others as seen in 1 Samuel 9:23? The Scene and the Significance “Then Samuel said to the cook, ‘Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.’” (1 Samuel 9:23) Samuel had already set apart a choice portion of meat for Saul before Saul even knew a feast was waiting for him. The preparation was intentional, personal, and done in obedience to God’s prior instruction. Lessons from Samuel’s Advance Preparation • Obedience precedes opportunity – Samuel prepared the portion because he had first listened to the Lord (1 Samuel 9:15-16). • The best is reserved, not the leftovers – the choicest piece was held back specifically for the one God would elevate (v. 24). • Preparation happens out of sight – the cook “laid it aside” long before Saul arrived, modeling quiet faithfulness. • Service is personal – Samuel did not offer a generic meal but a tailored portion, teaching us to serve real people, not abstract needs. Practical Steps to Prepare for Serving Others 1. Cultivate attentiveness to God’s voice – Daily Scripture intake (Psalm 119:105) tunes the heart to hear instructions similar to Samuel’s. 2. Set aside your best resources before the need appears – Time, finances, and talents can be portioned off now so you can respond quickly later (Proverbs 3:9). 3. Practice hidden faithfulness – Serve when no one sees; God often uses private obedience to create public impact (Matthew 6:3-4). 4. Anticipate specific people, not vague crowds – Ask God to place individuals on your heart, then prepare with them in mind (Philippians 2:3-4). 5. Trust God’s timing – Saul arrived at the exact moment the portion was ready. Be ready, but let God determine the “when” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Supporting Scriptures • 2 Timothy 2:21 – “If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.” • Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” • Luke 22:8-13 – The disciples prepared the Passover exactly as Jesus directed, illustrating readiness and obedience. • John 13:4-5 – Jesus rising to wash the disciples’ feet shows that preparation includes a willing humility. Takeaway Thoughts Prepare now—quietly, intentionally, and with excellence—so that when God places someone at your table, the “portion” is already waiting. Like Samuel, our advance obedience turns ordinary meals into divine appointments. |
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