God’s Guidance in Everyday Obedience | 1 Samuel 9:3-6

Are you looking for God's guidance today?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 9. I've titled this chapter "Guided By God."

Today, our text is 1 Samuel 9:3-6, which reads:

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.

When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.” — 1 Samuel 9:3-6

With a political revolution brewing among Israel's leaders, we are transported to an insignificant rural family and the Hill Country of Ephraim.

The Hill Country of Ephraim was a 15-mile long by 27-mile wide stretch of land consisting of large V-shaped hills, making finding a few lost donkeys a near-impossible task. Still obedient to their father, these two young men went out on their search. Coming up empty-handed, they find themselves in the land of Zuph, which should be a familiar place for us since this is precisely where this story began. In 1 Samuel 1:1, this is where Samuel's great-great-great grandfather resided, which is no coincidence. The two young men are about to turn back here but decide to consult with a prophet who might give them spiritual guidance for this impossible task. While they would not find the lost donkeys, they would find something more significant—Saul's calling as the first king of Israel.

This story presents a simple yet profound lesson for those seeking God's guidance. Faithful obedience is always where we find God's guidance and, with it, our calling and purpose in this life. This is how it worked for Saul and every great believer and leader you read about in the Bible. This is how it has always worked in my life, too.

I know some believers are seeking guidance from God and looking for their unique purpose and calling in this life. Sometimes, this search can be disorienting, confusing, and even irritating. When we are confused and irritated like this, we can be tempted to act in disobedience, which only obscures the righteous path. The most important thing we can do is to take another small step of obedience, even if it seems like the path leads nowhere. Sometimes, the path that appears to lead to nowhere is exactly where God wants us to be, and it is usually right here that God reveals the plan and purpose he has for our lives.

So, if you want to know God's plan and purpose for you, live in the adventure of faith and take a small step of obedience, even if it seems to lead nowhere.

#FaithfulObedience, #GodsGuidance, #DivinePurpose

Ask This:
In what areas of your life do you feel lost or directionless, and how can you take a small step of obedience today to seek God's guidance?
Reflect on a time when you followed God's leading, even when it didn't make sense. How did that step of faith reveal His plan and purpose for you?
Do This:
Be obedient and discover your calling.

Pray This:
Lord, help me to trust Your guidance and take steps of obedience, even when the path seems unclear. Reveal Your purpose for my life as I walk faithfully with You each day. Amen.

Play This:
Run To The Father.