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Lost Donkeys

Posted by Dion Todd May 6th, 2024 1,688 Views 18 Comments

Lost Donkeys from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

Benjamin was the smallest and least significant tribe in Israel, and a young man named Saul lived there. Saul was from a wealthy family but his life had been uneventful up to this point, and there was nothing notable to mention. Then, one day, a mundane task arose:

(1 Samuel 9:3–4 NKJV)  Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, "Please take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys." So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

It was a fruitless, frustrating search for the lost donkeys. They walked for three days, covering between 20 to 40 miles in rugged terrain, but did not find them. These were long days filled with sighing and disappointment as they passed through one area after another. 
"Why... Is... This... So... Difficult! Stupid, stupid donkeys... I just want this over..."

Finally, they gave up hope of ever finding the donkeys, and they had been gone so long now that their family was beginning to worry about them instead. Saul was ready to turn back, but the servant with him told him about a man of God nearby. 

(1 Samuel 9:5–6 NKJV)  When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us." And he said to him, "Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go."

At the time, when you went to see a "Seer" or "Prophet" you brought a gift, but Saul had nothing with him. The Seer didn't charge, but it was common courtesy to bring a gift. So the servant stepped up again and offered up the silver he had with him. This servant was full of great ideas.

(1 Samuel 9:7–8 NKJV)  Then Saul said to his servant, "But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" And the servant answered Saul again and said, "Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way."

(1 Samuel 9:10–12 NKJV)  Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. As they went up the hill to the city, they met some young women going out to draw water, and said to them, "Is the seer here?" And they answered them and said, "Yes, there he is, just ahead of you. Hurry now; for today he came to this city, because there is a sacrifice of the people today on the high place.

Samuel the prophet was born in Ramah and often stayed there. The Lord had told him yesterday that He was sending him a visitor:

(1 Samuel 9:14–17 NKJV)  So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me. So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people."

Samuel knew and loved the Lord, and the Lord whispered in his ear. But Saul did not, so the Lord spoke to Saul through lost donkeys. He will faithfully speak to us in a way that works.

Meanwhile, Saul is clueless, still searching for the lost donkeys, so he approaches Samuel looking for the Seer, and oh my, does he find one. The detail in the word Samuel gives him could only have come from God.  

(1 Samuel 9:18–20 NKJV)  Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, "Please tell me, where is the seer's house?" Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found.

This had to have blown Saul's mind. How could Samuel have known the donkeys had been found, or even that they had been lost? Samuel invites Saul to dine with him, sets him in a place of honor, and gives him the best portion of food that had been set aside for him. They stayed with Samuel that night, and then the next morning, he anointed Saul and sent them on their way. Samuel gave him the most detailed prophecy of what would happen next: (1 Samuel 10:1–7)

1: Saul would meet two men near Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin, who would inform him that the donkeys he had been searching for were found.

2: Next, he would meet three men going up to Bethel to worship God, carrying three young goats, three loaves of bread, and a skin of wine. They would give him two loaves of bread.

3: Finally, he would meet a procession of prophets and musicians at Gibeah. The Spirit of the Lord would come on Saul, and he would be turned into another man.

All of this happened exactly as Samuel had foretold. In the end, Saul didn't find the lost donkeys, but instead found his destiny and became the first King of Israel. Circumstances led Saul to where he needed to be. God used this unfortunate situation to guide Saul, and He will use circumstances in our lives to guide us as well. We need to trust that God knows what He is doing and all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28).

I have had similar experiences as Saul when God showed up in the most unlikely of places. When all of that happened just to bring me here, for such a time as this. 

You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for leading me. I know that all things will work together for good, though I don't understand it. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and guide me to where I need to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


Note: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

I just finished reading the entire Bible. This story is wonderful. Amen


Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen and Amen and Amen!!! Another great message and an eye-opener for me, when I look back a my life which started overseas! Where I met my husband to be, and when I said good-by to my godly Grandma, not knowing that she would pass away just a few weeks after I left! She called me "my Ruth" as she was so often talking in a biblical way thinking of Ruth most likely, who was following Naomi into a far away land . . .! In the process of many trials and hardships I was saved over here while looking back seeing the hand of my God and His numerous interventions, it's as if pieces of a giant puzzle is coming together!!! And then, PTL most high, my husband was saved, and I see it in his eyes, his face and his speech! And, our one and only child, our daughter got saved and our grandson, and eventually I believe that we will see his wife come completely to the Lord and surrender, and last but not least our 2 grand children, almost 1 and 2 years of age! They are already being taught to love God, to pray, especially little Leo, who'll be 2 in July, and sing little bible songs, like little Leo who loves "I'm in the Lord's army" and marches to it! That's what it's all about, praising and thanking the Lord, my Lord and my God, forever and ever!!!

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Liesel aka lisa Wardle

7 months ago

Meant to say "Great Grandchildren", since Alexander is our one and only grandson!!

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Sylvia Todd

7 months ago

PTL, sister, praying for you and your family 🙏!

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Liesel aka lisa Wardle

7 months ago

Yes PTL, and thank you dear sister for your prayers, as I'm praying for You, Dion and Summer!!! May the Lord meet all of your needs and give you strength to go on with all the many tasks and challenges!! Love ya! "Numbers 6:24-26"

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Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!


Schalk de Beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Oh yes Lord Jesus, amen.


Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen Good Morning Everyone

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Sylvia Todd

7 months ago

Happy Monday, Yvette :)!


Susan Petho commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!


David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen Lord. Let me. Speak clearly. Create in me a clean heart of God, and re-new a right spirit in me. This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.


Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Thank You Father for Your divine appointments for our lives, Amen.


Kathy Banfield commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Isn't interesting how God often used donkeys to convey messages? Perhaps they aren't as belligerent as we might think!

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Sylvia Todd

7 months ago

Ha, good point, Kathy 😀!


Candy Laventure commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!


Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!!! 🙏


Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!!


Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen and Amen


Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen❣️


Kay Collinsworth commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen


Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Amen!


Jeffrey Green commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Father I put my trust in you, there is no other God I wish to serve. Thank you for your grace and mercy Amen!!


Dion Todd added a new video devotional: Lost Donkeys

7 months ago

Lost Donkeys from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Benjamin was the smallest and least significant tribe in Israel, and a young man named Saul lived there. Saul was from a wealthy family but his life had been uneventful up to this point, and there was nothing notable to mention. Then, one day, a mundane task arose:(1 Samuel 9:3–4 NKJV) ... Read the full post here: Lost Donkeys




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