What if someone walked up to you, poured oil on your head and said, “You’re now king!”? Most of us think we’d like to be king or queen – but what if that nation was God’s chosen people? Israel wanted to be like all the other nations and they rejected God to lead them and demanded a king. God granted their request and He identified Saul as the first king of Israel. But when Samuel anointed him as king and went to present him to the people, Saul went into hiding. The Bible doesn’t tell us why Saul was hiding from God’s calling, but there he was, hiding behind the baggage.
Seeking lost donkeys; found one prophet
We find the account of Sault being anointed king that some donkeys got lost and Saul was sent to go find them. When they couldn’t be found, Saul’s servant traveling with him said, “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.” It was customary to bring a gift to the man of God when asking him to inquire of the Lord, and Saul and his servant had been gone so long that they didn’t even have bread left. But the servant had quarter of a shekel of silver and offered to give it to the man of God. This man of God was the prophet Samuel who would announce God’s calling for Saul’s life.
Wanted and unwanted news
When they approached Samuel, the prophet does in fact tell Saul that they donkeys have already found their way home. But Samuel also pours oil on him and says “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies.” We know that Saul was not looking for this news of God’s calling to be king because when he returns home, he doesn’t tell his uncle about Samuel anointing him king.
In 1 Samuel 10:14-16, it says: “Saul’s uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” And Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.” And then in the following verses, we find Saul hiding among the baggage when Samuel gathers the nation together to present to them their new king. It seems as if Saul isn’t interested in God’s calling for him.
How can this man save us?
To the crowd it looked like Saul was shirking his duties and didn’t want to be king. So in 1 Samuel 10:27, we find that the Bible tell us some worthless fellows who despised Saul did not bring a gift to their new king. In other words, they were not going to accept God’s calling for Saul to be their king. They grumbled saying, “How can this man save us?” As the newly proclaimed king, Saul could have had them executed, but he simply holds his peace and says nothing.
In just a few chapters, Saul will go up against the Philistines in battle and when Samuel doesn’t arrive fast enough, Saul’s army begins to run away from the battle. Perhaps (the Bible doesn’t tell us) if Saul had accepted God’s calling, the people would have had more faith and trust in him as their king and would have been more devoted to him in the face of battle. Regardless, when we avoid God’s calling, there are consequences.
What is God calling you to do?
Is there a task that God has called you to do that you have not stepped into doing? Are you listening to the voices of the “nay-sayers” in your life over the voice of God? Are you running or hiding from what God is calling you to do? Just as God knew that Saul was hiding in the baggage, he knows where you are hiding. in 1 Samuel 10:9, we find that as Saul left Samuel, God gave Saul another heart. In other words, God equipped Saul when God called Saul. God will do the same for you. If He has called you, He will equip you. So stop hiding and step into what God has called you to do and know with confidence that God will be with you and empower to do all that He has prepared for you.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
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Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
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Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Download our Free Self-Care Wheel
The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
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This week’s new Christian Tees designs:
#Done 2021
This week, we are celebrating the accomplishments of the class of 2021. If you have a high school, college, or university graduate this year, our #Done 2021 shirts and products make a great gift. View the samples below and other products in this design in our Spreadshop store. Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
See our other graduation tees and products:
Graduating Seniors and Class of 2021
Once in the store, you can click on the customize tab and add your school name or graduate’s name!
The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Godfidence 
Walk by faith 
I’m only talking to Jesus today 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine 
Grace wins 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Prayer Warrior 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
All Things New 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
All things are possible 
Run with perseverance 
Blessings head to toe-hearts 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Blessings head to toe – roses 
Jeremiah 29:11 
Be Still 
Blessings head to toe 
God’s starting point 
Blessings head to toe – floral
Canvas art and posters are available in the Teespring store. Many of our Christian Tees are also available at Teespring.
To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints
Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube
You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
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