When all is gone! (1Samuel 9)

In times like this, when all seems to be fallen apart, which way shall we go? The period when mighty nations are obviously crumbling under the heavy weight of COVID-19 pandemic. A time when masses are losing their jobs and source of livelihood; where shall we turn? Truly, we are in hard times; a season when religious organisations seem to be devastated, incapacitated and seem irrelevant. In such a time, which way shall we go?

Kish, the father of Saul, was a rich and influential man from the tribe of Benjamin. On one occasion, Kish assigned his son, Saul alongside a servant to look for his lost donkeys. For the task and journey, Saul and his servant had enough victuals.

• When Strategies are Gone
Experts in strategy development in economy and commerce, health, sports, media and lots more have used up all possible strategies to salvage the present situation, but it seems they are not yielding a well-deserved result. Saul must have been an expert in searching and recovering lost assets. He might have been helpful in this arm of Mr. Kish’s flourishing business. Kish did not hesitate to assign this task to Saul; perhaps he was an expert in that field. But alas, Saul used up all available strategies of “search and recover”, to no positive result. Starting with ‘operation Ephraim’, through Shalisha and to Shalim. He returned to local operations in the region of Benjamites and later to Zuph methodology; yet nothing seemed to work. You have also attempted all. What again?

• When Supplies are Gone
Not just that Saul ran out of ideas to record a well-deserved success, he ran out of resources, too. I guess Saul had spent a lot from the reserve, as he passed through different lands of operations. None of the strategies adopted was not without a cost. As a high ranked officer, he ate good food, lodged in one of the best hotel facilities and also paid other professionals in different fields to fast-track high intelligence of search. Oh no, he had nothing left; nothing for the next meal for the day. All resources were gone! Are you experiencing the same recently? When all provisions are gone, which way to go?

• Where Solution Abounds
It was obvious Saul needed a new approach and direction, if he would record success.
Revd. Abimbola Ogundare, Pastor, Peaceway Baptist Church, Ikotun
12/14, Audu Street, Governor Road, Ikotun, Lagos State
+234-907-871-2107; peacewaybc@gmail.com; abimbolaogundare@yahoo.com

You need the same, if things must improve. Saul’s servant insisted they couldn’t give up easily and proposed seeking divine guidance from a reputable man of God in the city. I’m not recommending men of God in the city (though some of them are honourable, while others are of high disrepute, disappointing God and man); I’m not recommending myself either. I’m recommending the only man that has the solution to all your challenges; that man is JESUS CHRIST. The truth is that, while you are so much concerned about your failures, He has a better and higher plan for you. Saul was strategising to salvage his father’s business, but with God, there is a plan of becoming the first king in Israel. If you can seek Jesus, there is a bigger and better opportunity for you!