When you read the Bible, you will remember the story of David and his son Absalom, how they entered into fierce battles that eventually led to a significant war fought in the forest. As many of us know, David was not physically present during this battle but sent his chief commander, Joab, to lead the army. Before the battle began, David instructed Joab to ensure that his son Absalom would not be killed but brought to him alive. However, when Joab caught Absalom, he killed him and threw his body into a very deep pit. When Israel saw that their leader Absalom was dead, the battle ceased immediately, and everyone scattered and returned to their homes. What remained was the task of delivering the news of the battle to King David. But who would bring the news of the death of his son? At this point, two messengers emerged: one named Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, and the other, a runner (or a messenger). Ahimaaz asked Joab to let him run and deliver the news to King David about the battle. But Joab said to him, “You cannot send that news because it is not good news to bear” (2 Samuel 18:20). Instead, Joab sent another messenger, telling him to go and tell the king what he had seen. 2 Samuel 18:21 says, “Then Joab said to a Cushite, ‘Go, tell the king what you have seen.’ So the Cushite bowed before Joab and ran off.” This messenger obeyed immediately and set off running. But Ahimaaz, seeing that the other messenger had been sent and he was still there, insisted again to Joab to let him go. 2 Samuel 18:22-23 says, “Then Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, said to Joab, ‘Please let me run; I will carry the news to the king.’ Joab answered, ‘Why do you want to run? You will have no reward for running on this errand.’ But he said, ‘If I run, I will run.’ So Joab said, ‘Run.’ Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.” Both began the journey, but the difference between the first messenger and the second was that the first messenger carried the actual news of what he had seen in the battle—how Absalom was killed—while the second messenger only heard of it but did not witness it himself. The Bible tells us that the second messenger ran faster and reached the king before the first. (It is not clear whether he took a shortcut or what happened, but he arrived first.) When he reached the king’s gate, he was asked what news he brought. He said, “Thanks be to the Lord, your enemies have been dispersed.” But when David asked about his son, listen to the answer: 2 Samuel 18:29: “The king asked, ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’ Ahimaaz answered, ‘When Joab sent me, your servant, the king’s servant, I saw a great battle, but I do not know what happened.'” When David heard this, he told him to stand aside and wait for the other messenger to arrive. When the other messenger came and was asked, he replied, “All the men are safe, and your enemies have been scattered, and the young man is dead.” When David heard this, he went up to the chamber over the gateway and wept bitterly for his son (2 Samuel 18:33). What is the Lord teaching us? If you have not considered this, whether you are a preacher, pastor, prophet, evangelist, apostle, or any messenger of God in any form—whether in singing, writing, or speaking—it is vital first to understand clearly the message you are entrusted to deliver. The primary message or command we have received from the Lord Jesus for anyone who wants to do God’s work is this: Matthew 28:19-20“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Now ask yourself: In your efforts to preach to people, is your goal to make them disciples of Christ? Are you teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded, or are you focusing only on worldly matters? Some when asked why they do not preach the full and holy gospel as the apostles did, they say, “I was not called to preach that gospel! I am called only to comfort!” Dear brother or sister, this is equivalent to running in vain without any message, like Ahimaaz initially who had no real news. Remember that in Matthew 28, this command was given to everyone present, not just to Peter or Matthew or Philip. It was addressed to all, including us who read this today. If your teachings do not aim to draw people to Christ but only to preach about how to succeed in this world, then know that you are a messenger without a message. Your work is useless, no matter how many thousands gather to listen or how much they praise you. We have been given one message: to make all nations disciples of Christ. And how do you make someone a disciple? Jesus said in: Luke 14:27“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Therefore, whatever we preach must not deviate from this central command. Even if we preach other things, the core must be visible. This is for our own benefit, so that our labor is not in vain before God. May the Lord bless you. Please feel free to share this good news with others. If you want us to send you such lessons by email or WhatsApp, send a message in the comment box below or call +255 789001312