How can we prioritize God's direction over personal concerns, like Saul's servant? Setting the Scene • 1 Samuel 9:5: “When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, ‘Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.’” • Saul’s mind is on lost livestock and an anxious parent. • The servant immediately looks beyond those pressing concerns to seek God’s direction through the prophet Samuel (see v. 6). Contrasting Voices: Saul vs. the Servant • Saul – Focus: family expectations, lost property, personal reputation. – Outcome: almost misses the divine appointment that will launch him into kingship. • Servant – Focus: God’s guidance, confidence in “the man of God.” – Outcome: becomes the hinge God uses to steer Saul toward Samuel. Lessons for Us: Putting God’s Direction First 1. See earthly concerns as real but secondary. – Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 2. Recognize promptings that lift our gaze higher. – Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” 3. Welcome counsel that points us toward God. – Proverbs 11:14: “With many counselors there is deliverance.” 4. Accept that God may redirect through unexpected voices—sometimes a servant, coworker, or child. Practical Steps to Prioritize Divine Direction • Begin each decision with Scripture: open the Word before opening your calendar. • Filter worries through prayer: Philippians 4:6-7. • Ask, “What advances God’s purpose, not just my comfort?” • Keep company with people who instinctively turn to God. • Hold personal agendas loosely; hold God’s will tightly. Encouragement from the Larger Story • Because the servant insisted, Saul met Samuel, was anointed king, and Israel’s monarchy began (1 Samuel 10:1). • Our small choices to seek God can influence destinies we cannot yet see. Key Verses to Remember • 1 Samuel 9:6: “Look,” the servant said, “in this city there is a man of God… perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” • Psalm 25:4: “Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.” • Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” |
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