What can we learn about obedience from Saul's response to his father's request? The Setting: A Lost Herd and a Simple Command 1 Samuel 9:3: “Now the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish had wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Take one of the servants and go find the donkeys.’” Instant Compliance without Complaint • No recorded hesitation, excuses, or negotiation. • Saul simply takes a servant and goes (v. 4). • Ephesians 6:1 echoes the principle: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” • Obedience begins at home; honoring earthly authority trains the heart to honor divine authority. Serving Faithfully in the Ordinary • Looking for stray animals is unglamorous, yet Saul handles it diligently. • Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” • Luke 16:10: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much…” • When Saul later reigns, the same diligence will be expected in governing God’s people. Obedience Opens Divine Doors • The mundane errand positions Saul to meet Samuel, leading to his anointing as king (1 Samuel 9:15-17). • Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • God often links life-changing moments to simple acts of obedience. From Small Steps to Sovereign Purposes • David’s bread-delivery to his brothers (1 Samuel 17:17-18) and Joseph’s errand to his siblings (Genesis 37:13-14) mirror Saul’s experience; humble obedience precedes elevation. • Philippians 2:8 shows the ultimate model: Christ “humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Takeaways for Our Walk with God • Obedience is prompt, practical, and performed without fanfare. • Faithfulness in small tasks is the training ground for larger assignments. • God weaves everyday obedience into His larger redemptive plan. • Saying yes to authority placed over us is a tangible way of saying yes to God today. |
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