This week we are going to study a story about two messengers - one who was prepared and one who was unprepared. This story can be found in 2 Samuel 18:19-33. To provide you all with the context: This story takes place during the reign of King David. His Son Absalom had rebelled and tried to take over his Father’s Kingdom. David’s Army had just defeated Absalom in battle and Absalom had died. King David did not go out to fight with his troops at the request of Joab the commander of his army. This story occurs when Joab is deciding how to send word back to King David that they had won the battle but his son was dead. 

Please take a moment now to read those 14 verses: 2 Samuel 18:19-33

So to summarize what we read in these passages: We have two messengers - Ahimaaz & the Cushite. Ahimaaz approached Joab and asked to bring the message and Joab tells him no. He instead sends the Cushite. Again Ahimaaz asks to bring the message and run behind the Cushite and Joab tries to discourage him. Finally realizing his determination, Joab allows Ahimaaz to run the message. Though Ahimaaz started out before the Cushite, he out-ran the Cushite and reached David first. He delivered the news that Isreal had won the battle and David’s kingship was restored, but when asked about the state of David’s son Absolum, Ahimaaz was unprepared to give the King the bad news his son died, so instead he makes up an excuse about there being a commotion in the camp right as he was leaving with the message. David tells him to step aside - an insulting statement for the messenger to hear in that day - to make way for the Cushite. The Cushite then delivers the message Isreal had won, but Absalom was dead and this sends David into deep mourning. 

I think there are some key lessons we can take away as we study this story of two messengers this week. 

First, Trust in God’s timing. Preparedness isn’t always physical. Ahimaaz was the faster runner. He started after the Cushite and arrived before the Cushite. The passage also tells he ran “by the way of the Plain”. If you read earlier in Chapter 18 you will see that they were fighting in a dense forested area. The Cushite presumably took the shortest route through the forest to take the message, but Ahimaaz started later, took the long way around, and still arrived before the Cushite. Ahimaaz was the more conditioned and faster runner - there is no doubt. But it didn’t matter that he arrived earlier because he was not prepared to give the information King David wanted. In a sense his message was pointless. There are times in life where you will feel ready, physically, mentally, or spiritually, but God will make you wait. Trust that God has a reason for that season of waiting. Don’t be like Ahimaaz and try to force your own timing, trust God’s. 

Come back tomorrow for the second lesson ; )

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” - Psalm 27:14

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