Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses. And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not. 1 Samuel 9:1-4 KJV
As we journey in this year, there are things, places, people, relationships, promotion, more souls to the kingdom of God, good health, divine help, a spouse, children, etcetera that we are seeking. We all like Saul must look for “our lost asses” that will grant us the joy and fulfillment that we desire in God. However, despite all the efforts of Saul and his servant, they could not locate the asses. Saul and his servant went up and down, left and right, far and near, yet nothing. All their efforts turned futile.
Saul’s situation in the above passage may be similar to what you have experienced in the past or what you are currently experiencing. My prayer and desire for you this year is that your efforts will not be futile in Jesus’ name. You will not labor in vain. As a student, you will not labor on preparing for exams or a presentation and then fail. As a researcher or academic, you will not labor on writing and submitting manuscripts for publication, only for the papers to be rejected. As pastors and ministers of the gospel, you will not labor in intercession, evangelism, and discipling converts only for them to backslide into their previous sinful lifestyle. As parents, you will not labor in vain on your children in Jesus’ name. This year, you will have so much profit from seeds sown, sacrifices made, and investments of time and resources made in Jesus’ name.
Saul traveled in the dark. He had no idea as to where he could get the asses. He was just wandering about. This is the case for many people. They are just gambling through life, basing crucial life decisions (such as who to marry or where to relocate to) on trial and error, just stumbling through. Sometimes they get it right, most times, they do not. I pray for you that you will not be in the dark about what you must do this year. You will live and walk in accuracy and precision in Jesus’ name.
And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us. 1 Samuel 9:5 KJV
When they came into the region of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Let’s go back home, or my father might stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” 1 Samuel 9:5 GNB
Did you notice what Saul said? Yhooo! What a thing to say after searching and searching. After spending a lot of time and resources looking for the asses, he wanted to abandon his mission at this point. I pray for you that you will complete everything that you have started or will yet start in Jesus’ name.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 KJV
This year, you must employ a resolute heart. A mindset that does not take NO for an answer. Saul seemed physically fit, but he was fickle-minded. I pray for you that you will be fit to take ownership of everything that is yours this year. You will accomplish every assignment that the Lord has placed on your heart. You will not be chickenhearted nor chicken out. Receive the strength, courage, and wisdom to forge ahead and complete everything that you have started in Jesus name.
No looking back. No weariness. No tiredness. No excuses. No procrastination. Stopping halfway is not an option. Going back to the world is not an option. Disbelieving the promises of God is not an option for us. Going back from pleasing the Lord is not an option for us. Going back from obeying the Lord is not an option for us.
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.” I Samuel 9:5 NKJV
People will worry about you when you keep wandering, keep trying this and that out, not completing anything or any given task. Your generation will ask you questions. People want to see results. Your world needs answers from you. DO NOT KEEP THEM WAITING. Even God wants positive results from his investments in our lives.
Will you be willing to pray with me on what you just read?
I will not labor in vain. I discover everything that had previously been hidden from me or unclear to me in Jesus’ name. I will not miss my way this year. This year will not close until I complete everything on God’s agenda for my life for this year. I will never be a source of ache or pain in my world. I am an answer and source of joy to my generation. Amen
Tolulope Victoria Balogun
Excellent Life 2022!