While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, “if he is alone he must have good news”. And the runner came closer and closer. Then the watchman saw another runner and he called down to the gatekeeper, “look another man running alone!” The king said, “He must be bringing good news too”…..2 Samuel 18: 24-26

Back in the day, before the invention of telecommunication services, messages it appears, were delivered by runners. However, in this time and age, a text message or call or skype would have sufficed. Anyway, we read above David anxiously awaits report of the arrest of Absalom, who had orchestrated a mutiny and overthrown his kingdom and was now being pursued by David’s loyalists. David had begged them not to kill his son but to try and capture him alive. Now two “runners” had been spotted approaching with news of the outcome. As they tried to identify them from afar, they seemed to hope it was one in particular; Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, who together with Abiathar the priests had remained behind as bearers of the ark of God and also as spies to collect intelligence against Absalom and send to David….2 Samuel 15:25-29,36, who was now in hiding.

Ahimaaz was known to have swift feet and was a bearer of good news. Infact, as Joab, David’s commander in chief prepared to send a runner back to the King, he declined to send Ahimaaz because Absalom had been killed and if David saw Ahimaaz, he would assume the news was good that Absalom was alive, which was not the case….

Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the LORD has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies. “You are not the one to take the news today”, Joab told him. You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the kings’s son is dead.”….2 Samuel 18:19-20

Joab stopped Ahimaaz from carrying the news this time around. However, technically, Absalom despite being the king’s son, was an enemy who intended to kill the king, therefore, his death was good news since king David was back on the throne (2 Samuel 18:31-32). So Ahimaaz persisted to be allowed to run with the news, even after the Cushite runner had been dispatched. Joab acceded and Ahimaaz ran and outran the first runner! What zeal!

Today, I am here to remind us that we are all called to be runners of the Good News. The Bible says that the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is to be preached to every corner of the earth, before the end...Matthew 24:14

Ahimaaz feet literally itched to deliver good news at any given chance; he could not be contained! I came upon this awesome bible verse that totally described this feeling, a believer experiences…

But if I say, “I will not mention His Word or speak anymore in His name, His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed I cannot…..Jeremiah 20:9

Burns like fire, we cannot contain it! Hallelujah!

There are people out there, sheep that have not found their way home, whose souls are waiting anxiously for the Good News, like David was anxiously waiting. All that is required, is a witness with a burning in their hearts and itching in their feet, to deliver the message to them. For the bible says, how else then, will they know if we who have received Salvation by Grace, do not share it with them?

..Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”….Romans 10:13-14

Paul continues about the good news..

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ….Romans 10:16-17

Paul continues to answer himself; that faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Indeed Israelites heard, but they were a disobedient and obstinate people...Romans 10:17, 21

We are called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is found in Book of Corinthians…

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you believed and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance” that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures….1 Corinthians 15:1-4

In summary, that the Word of God…John 1:1, became flesh and made His dwelling among us… John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8 , Emmanuel, God with us, Jesus Christ….Matthew 1:21, 23, Isaiah 7:14. He was crucified for our sins, and He died….John 19:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, was buried…..John 19:38-42. On the third day, He resurrected, and ascended to the Father…John 20:16-17, returned back to earth….John 20:19-22. For forty days the resurrected Christ was seen alive…Acts 1:3, then He ascended back to heaven…Acts 1:9, Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51. He went to prepare a place for us and shall return….John 14:3, Acts 1:11. Glory hallelujah!

But before He left, the Master, Jesus Christ said…

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…Mark 16:15

Therefore, join the army of the Lord, decked in His armor, and..with your feet fitted with readiness of the gospel of peace….Ephesians 6:15

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”…Isaiah 6:8

Glory to God!