Seize the Moment – Day 799
Be a Faithful Messenger!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, May 25.
I had the privilege of coaching at the Regional Championships for girl’s high school track and field last night. In addition to watching some great throwing, highlighted by my discus thrower competing like a champion to earn third place and securing her spot at the State Championships next week, I watched a lot of amazing running on the track.
In 2 Samuel 18:19-22, Joab’s favorite runner wanted to be the messenger of the good news that Absalom had been defeated and the battle was won – the kingdom was secure! Joab knew that David tended to shoot the messenger when there was bad news, and Absalom’s death would not be well received by his father, so he refused Ahimaaz this privilege and sent another, the Cushite. But Ahimaaz would not be denied his opportunity to be the messenger of the good news.
With Joab finally relenting, Ahimaaz beat the Cushite to the king to deliver the good news, but when David asked about the well-being of his son, the swift-footed herald of the good news equivocated (29). It was the Cushite who gave David the whole story – the good and the bad news of the victory.
Who was the more faithful messenger – the eager, persistent one who concealed the bad news of the gospel or the faithful one who told the whole story? As messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ we are commanded to tell the whole story of Christ’ victory. Paul summarized the good with the bad in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” People will not understand the victory of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, the free gift of God, if they don’t first hear the truth about God’s punishment of their sin.
Seize the moment and be a faithful messenger of the gospel, tell the whole story!