Seek Him (God) not the Donkeys, January 11 and 18, 2026

Reverend Michael Mwangi

Senior Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God 

Reference: 1 Samuel Chapter 9

God has not just what we need but  all that we can ever desire.  Most important, His desires is not just to give us what we need but He is pleased to give us the kingdom, the resources of the kingdom and the dominion of the kingdom.

Luke 12:32

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom"

While all this is available for us, and God is willing to give to us, we only go for portions

All God is seeking from us is a true relationship so that He may share with us His riches.

He desires that we love Him that we may partake of all He has.

 Psalm 37:4

[4]Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Intimacy grants access to resources

Unfortunately, we are not interested in intimacy but only in him meeting our need. Instead of seeking an intimate relationship, we mostly prefer transactional relationships.

Without a true relationship, our lives are plagued with needs,  wants and emptiness.  We therefore keep pursuing things without success or even getting satisfaction.

As it is, our lives are full of missing donkeys

1. Everyone has missing donkeys

What is it that you seek in life that you really think you need most?

1 Samuel 9:3

[3]Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.”

Donkeys are beasts of burden and a source of livelihood. They are a source of wealth creation and an indispensable resource.

This is why we cannot afford to lose the donkeys; in fact, we are busy pursuing them.

Naturally, we tend to think that if we can find the missing donkeys, we will be very okay. Therefore, everyone is very busy trying to be okay. But God's desire and plans for us are not just to make us okay but to make us great.  Remember, Saul was at his lowest when all the donkeys were still with Him. No amount of donkeys could make him great, and neither you nor I. 

[21]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?”

Donkeys can never make a difference in our lives. It is only God (His presence) that distinguishes us. Exodus 16:33

Despite this truth, everyone is busy seeking the missing donkeys or the donkeys we presume missing in our lives Kila mtu ni kutafuta na kupambana na maisha. God has called us to a life of fulness and abudance but we are busy trying to make a living.

John 10:10

[10]The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

It is folly to seek satisfaction in created things (wealth, fame, possessions) rather than in the Creator, who alone can truly satisfy the soul's deepest longings. It's not the donkeys but God.

2. Seeking donkeys leads to  frustrations rather than satisfaction

In verses 4 and 5, their dedication only led to more frustration.  While we are to seek the kingdom first, we are busy seeking all other things believing they will gives good life.

Unfortunately, we struggle and end up tired, frustrated and emptier than ever before.

John 21:1-6

If God is not our first priority, expect nothing meaningful; the end is pure frustration.  We usually overlook God and His ways, preferring to do our own thing that never fulfils.

Haggai 1:6-7

[6]You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

[7]This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

Most of us can identify with this but  God is calling us to seek Him

It is the same tendency the Israelites were prone to

Jeremiah 2:13

[13]“My people have committed two sins:

They have forsaken me,

    the spring of living water,

and have dug their own cisterns,

    broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Donkeys will always frustrate you because they fall short of satisfaction and fulfilment.

2026, if we put our time,  passion and energy in seeking him rather than donkeys, we will be fulfilled, not frustrated.

3. In 2026, seek God, not donkeys

Seek the source not resources

1 Samuel 9:6

[6]But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”

Saul’s servant saw the wisdom in seeking God rather than donkeys. This the same voice of God for us. It is the only way to find fulfilment and satisfaction in life as opposed to struggles and frustrations

Isaiah 55:2

[2]Why spend money on what is not bread,

    and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

    and you will delight in the richest of fare. 

This invitation from God contrasts temporary worldly pursuits (like idols, wealth, or worldly pleasures) with the lasting fulfilment found in God, urging people to turn to Him for true nourishment and satisfaction. 

Let’s turn away from futile pursuits and embrace God. This is what will bring lasting delight and life. 

4. Seek God, and you will find success

When you seek God, you will find  more than you  could ever dream of

1 Samuel 9: 23-24

[23]Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

[24]So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’ ” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

While Saul was struggling trying to find the donkeys. God had great things in store for him. Just like you and me, we are busy tukibahatisha maisha (trying to make it in life), running here and there, trying this and that and trying to figure things out as we grapple in confusion and darkness. Yet God is ready with everything we need to live a glorious life.

Jeremiah 29:11

[11]For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Corinthians 2:9

[9]However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,

    what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived”

    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

These are divine blessings and spiritual realities beyond human comprehension. Who could have imagined an ordinary man from the least of the least, a failure who could not even find silly donkeys, would become a king in a nation that had never had a king?

God has already given us everything we desire if only we can seek Him.

Ephesians 1:3

[3]Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

2 Peter 1:3

[3]His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

When Saul sought God, he not only found God's plans for him, he also found greatness and his purpose in life. Wealth, riches, and honour became his portion. May God open our spiritual eyes.

He also found the donkeys he was looking for.

1 Samuel 9:20

“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?”

My prayer for you

Ephesians 1:17-20

[17]I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

[18]I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

[19]and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

[20]he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

Let's call on Him in 2026 and experience new levels of glory.

He not only has the donkeys we are looking for, but has everything and is willing to give us.

Psalm 50:10-11

[10]for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
[11]I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.

Haggai 2:8
[8]‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

Psalm 24:1
[1]The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;

Deuteronomy 10:14
[14]To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12
[11]Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
    you are exalted as head over all.
[12]Wealth and honor come from you;
    you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
    to exalt and give strength to all.

1 Timothy 6:17
[17]Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 
 
God has not just everything but also the best plan for our lives, full of hope and a future.