Lost and found

July 24, 2007

By William E. Richardson

“But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And … ” (1 Samuel 9:20, NKJV).

What are you looking for? What are you hoping to find today?

The Old Testament record of Saul, Israel’s future king, searching for his father’s stray donkeys takes the thought of finding something lost a step further. It reminds us not only of the reality of God helping us locate something, but of God sometimes adding an element to the equation. Saul found more than he’d expected.

At the beginning of the story, Saul searched diligently for the lost donkeys. First Samuel 9:4 says Saul’s best efforts rendered no results. Saul combed the Ephraim mountainside. No donkeys. He scoured the lands of Shalisha and Shaalim. No donkeys. He sought them in the land of the Benjamites. They weren’t there. Finally, Saul told his servant they might as well stop looking and return home (verse 5).

Have you reached that point of frustration? Since whatever you’re trying so hard to find seems to be playing hide-and-seek, have you grown weary of looking? I’m talking about more than a misplaced phone number or car keys. What about your next job or the answer to a persistent question that’s like a missing piece to your life’s puzzle?

No doubt Saul had prayed to find the elusive donkeys. Yet, he sought further spiritual guidance. He made a greater act of surrender in hopes of hearing from God (verses 6-10). Following the long search and Saul’s fresh commitment of spiritual surrender, God opened Saul’s eyes to a surprise. Samuel told him concerning the donkeys, “They have been found. And … ” Yes, God had taken care of everything, but He also had a new plan for Saul (verse 20): Saul would soon become Israel’s first king.

Making a complete surrender to God may not bring a sudden stop to your search. It is, however, the first step in getting there. Fresh faith can flood your heart to replace your frustration. God may even tell you, “I’ve solved your search. Here’s a wonderful surprise you weren’t expecting.”

Sometimes, what you’re looking for isn’t where you search for it. Sometimes, what you’re looking for isn’t what you find. If you’ve come to the end of yourself and are fully surrendered to living in God’s guidance, whatever you find will be what you really need.

Today has possibilities. God will either help you take that final step to find what you’ve been looking for, or bring you one day closer to it — or He’ll turn the lightbulb on for you to realize that all along He wanted you to find something more.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.