The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13.

What could be more wonderful to be found and remembered than the love that God has for you? He gives grace. He longs to be in communion with you heart to heart. His love covers sins and brings healing and restoration that can only be found in Him, with His help guiding us forward to a walk with Him. Never doubt His love for you and your deep need for His love.

In 1 Samuel 9 is an example of one who doubted even though he was chosen by God to lead Israel as king. Israel had already declared their desire for a king to rule over them so they could be just like the other nations surrounding them. Do we want to be just like the nations surrounding us today?

Saul, a Benjamite, was sent by his father to recover donkeys that had wandered off. He and a servant traveled all over the hill country of Ephraim and the territory of Benjamin. Their traveling never found the lost donkeys but they came to Samuel who told them, “As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?” v. 20. What?

One moment looking for lost donkeys and now a new reality that he could not comprehend. Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” v. 21.

And how did Samuel answer Saul? “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us” – and the servant did so – “but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.” v. 27.

A back story of Saul. There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. v. 1-2.

Saul had everything going for him. A father who was a man of standing, handsome in appearance, taller than anyone else. People would naturally look up to him for all of those things. What he also had but did not appreciate, was God choosing him to be king over Israel. Understandable from a human standpoint because we know what we are; we know our fears and limitations even though we can put up a good front for others to see.

What was lost and forgotten for so many of us is how God can work within us. Would you be surprised if God started working in you? Can you trust Him if He does? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-3.

When we take His hand and trust Him, we walk a path that leads to something so beautiful the joy found there will help us navigate through every hardship we face because we won’t walk those hardships alone. In truth, we never have walked alone…but how much better when we realize He is with us. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. We can be in communion with our Creator God! Thank You, Lord, for this amazing walk with You right beside us helping us as we grow closer to You.