March 16-20

God Works Through Ordinary Moments

“Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed to Samuel…” — 1 Samuel 9:15 (ESV)

A pastor once joked that the most spiritual place in the church isn’t the sanctuary: it’s the lost-and-found box. He said you can discover everything in there: Bibles, reading glasses, car keys, and occasionally a casserole dish someone forgot after a potluck. One church even found a toupee in their lost-and-found bin. The pastor said, “I’m still praying for the man who went home that day and realized something was missing!”

Sometimes what’s lost reveals more than we expect. In 1 Samuel 9, Saul isn’t looking for a throne; he’s looking for donkeys. His father sent him on a simple errand. After searching unsuccessfully, Saul is ready to go home. But his servant suggests they consult Samuel, the prophet. What Saul doesn’t know is that God had already told Samuel the day before that the future king was coming.

The donkeys were lost, but Saul wasn’t. God was guiding every step. This chapter reminds us that God often works through ordinary circumstances. A routine errand becomes a divine appointment. A small decision becomes part of a bigger story.

God’s providence is rarely dramatic in the moment. It unfolds quietly in conversations, unexpected meetings, and everyday responsibilities. When we trust that God is working in the details, even small moments take on spiritual significance.

Reflection Questions
Where might God be working in the ordinary routines of your life right now?
How does believing God is guiding the details change the way you face daily tasks?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, help me see Your hand in the everyday details of life. Guide my steps even in the ordinary moments.

Trust the God Who Sees What We Cannot
“Tomorrow, about this time, I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin.”  — 1 Samuel 9:16 (ESV)
In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming returned to his laboratory after vacation and noticed something unusual. A mold had accidentally grown in one of his petri dishes, and the bacteria around it had died. That “mistake” became the discovery of penicillin, one of the most important medical breakthroughs in history. What looked accidental turned out to be providential.

Saul had no idea God was orchestrating events behind the scenes. He thought he was chasing donkeys across the countryside. Meanwhile, God had already revealed to Samuel that Saul would arrive the next day. The timing was perfect because God planned it.

One of the most comforting truths of Scripture is that God sees what we cannot. We often live moment to moment, making decisions with limited understanding. At Second Baptist, we’ve seen this truth again and again. Ministry opportunities, relationships, and moments of spiritual growth often happen in ways no one could have planned. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

Reflection Questions
Where have you seen God’s providence only after looking back on a situation?
How can trusting God’s unseen work strengthen your faith today?

Suggested Prayer
Father, help me trust Your plan even when I cannot see what You are doing.

Respond When God Moves
“Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you… and you will be turned into another man.” — 1 Samuel 10:6 (ESV)
A man once told his pastor he had finally started exercising. The pastor asked what motivated the change. The man said, “My doctor told me I needed to start walking five miles a day.” The pastor asked, “So how’s it going?” The man replied, “Great! I’m already thirty-five miles from home and feeling healthier every minute!”

Sometimes the hardest part of change is simply responding. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel gives Saul several signs confirming that God has chosen him to lead Israel. Each prediction unfolds exactly as Samuel said it would. God is clearly moving.

But signs alone aren’t the point: the response is. God’s work in our lives often requires action. He prompts us through Scripture, conviction, opportunities to serve, or encouragement from other believers. When God moves, we are invited to step forward in faith. For the Second Family, that response may look like volunteering in ministry, discipling someone younger in the faith, or simply sharing the gospel with a friend.

Reflection Questions
What step of obedience might God be asking you to take right now?
How can responding to God quickly strengthen your spiritual growth?

Suggested Prayer
Lord, give me courage to respond when You prompt me. Help me act in faith rather than hesitation.

Rely on the Spirit’s Power
“And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words.” — 1 Samuel 11:6 (ESV)

A church softball team once prayed before their championship game. The pastor prayed, “Lord, give us strength, unity, and victory tonight.” They lost by fifteen runs. After the game, one player said, “Pastor, I thought we prayed for victory.” The pastor replied, “We did. Apparently, the other team prayed harder.”Of course, that’s not how God’s power works.

In 1 Samuel 11, Saul faces a national crisis when the Ammonites threaten the city of Jabesh-Gilead. Israel is fearful and scattered. But when Saul hears the news, the Spirit of God rushes upon him, and he leads the people to victory. The turning point wasn’t Saul’s leadership skills, it was the Spirit’s empowerment.

This passage reminds us that God’s work requires God’s power. Human effort alone cannot accomplish spiritual transformation. For the ministries of Second Baptist, reaching families, discipling students, sharing the gospel in Warner Robins, the Holy Spirit must be our strength. Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD.”

Reflection Questions
Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength instead of the Spirit?
How can prayer help you depend more on God’s power this week?

Suggested Prayer
Holy Spirit, empower my life and our church to accomplish what we cannot do on our own.

Remember God’s Faithfulness
“Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." — 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. In the years that followed, many families rebuilt homes and communities that had been destroyed. One church in Mississippi placed a large stone outside its rebuilt sanctuary, engraved with the words, “Thus far the Lord has helped us,” echoing 1 Samuel 7:12. The stone was a reminder that even after overwhelming loss, God had not abandoned them.

In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel reminds Israel of the same truth. Though the people had demanded a king, God had repeatedly rescued and sustained them from Egypt, through the wilderness, and throughout the time of the judges. Samuel’s message is simple: remember what God has done.

Memory fuels faith. When we recall God’s faithfulness in the past, we gain confidence for the future. For the Second Family at Second Baptist, there is much to remember; decades of gospel ministry, lives changed, missionaries sent, and countless prayers answered.

Reflection Questions
Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life or church family?
How does remembering God’s past work strengthen your faith today?

Suggested Prayer
Faithful God, thank You for every way You have worked in my life and in our church. Help me remember Your goodness and trust You for what lies ahead.