1 Samuel 9:1 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:2 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:3 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:4 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:5 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:6 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:7 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:8 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:9 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:10 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:11 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:12 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:13 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:14 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:15 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:16 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:17 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:18 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:19 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:20 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:21 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:22 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:23 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:24 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:25 NIV, 1 Samuel 9:26 NIV and 1 Samuel 9:27 NIV

This is yet another example of God's wonderful sovereignty and how he takes either the seemingly innocuous or inconsequential to execute His master plan. The people of Israel asked their leader, the Prophet Samuel, to ask God to establish a king. God complied and to manifest this gift for His people who adamantly wanted a mighty and glorious ruler to lead them in battle and conquest of their enemies... God steals the donkey of a small insignificant Benjamite family.

I think God is just one of the quirkiest people I've ever met. In His great omniscient wisdom, having this one donkey wander astray, He would have the young man, Saul, so search for it, knowing full well this search would take his path to cross with Samuel. He already forewarned Samuel that He was bringing the man whom He would anoint as king over Israel. This wasn't some arbitrary incident where a feeble minded beast of burden wanders off on its own. No, God said He is bringing Saul to Samuel.

Imagine being Saul right then and there--the complete dumbstruck feeling he must have had when his mind was focused on trying to figure out where his missing donkey was and then this holy man tells him he's called to lead the nation of Israel.

How about the missing donkeys of our lives? Do we act in thanksgiving as we are told to give thanks in all things? Or do we gripe and complain that something important is missing, broken, lost, stolen. How quickly do we forget the simple fact that God is still on the throne of the universe? Let us all try this next time; when something goes all screwed up that throws our plans out the window and shatters whatever schedules we have, when we feel all worked up and stressed about finances, relationship strains, property damage or loss, and when we want to shake our fists at the heavens for the turmoil around us... simply try thanking God. It's all a gift, and though we cannot always or immediately see the good outcome He has planned, we have to have faith. That's why this whole life is a life of faith. It's not blindly believing in God, it's believing He has it all covered and we can cast our cares on Him.

I can't tell you how many times I've leaned upon His promises, and He was faithful to carry me through. I can't express the elation of shedding anxiety and worry upon Him and sleeping soundly knowing that an all wise God truly runs this Universe, and Has a good plan for all things.

Bless you, beloved of Christ. May we never fret the next time we lose our ass, because lurking around the next corner could be a crown.

For information about my Christmas novel about the original Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, a devout Christian who gave for the glory of God, visit www.nicholasthenovel.com
For more devotionals/sermonettes visit my blog at codywurban.wordpress.com