What can we learn from Ahimaaz about seeking God's guidance before acting? Ahimaaz Runs Before Hearing “Yet Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, ‘Regardless of whatever happens, please let me run behind the Cushite!’ ‘My son,’ Joab replied, ‘why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?’” (2 Samuel 18:22) What Went Wrong • Ahimaaz was passionate but uninformed. • He pressed Joab twice, even after being told he had nothing fresh to say. • His zeal led him to overtake the Cushite, yet when he arrived he could only report: “I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was” (v. 29). Lesson 1 – Zeal Must Be Guided by Revelation • Proverbs 19:2: “Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.” • Passion for God’s work is excellent, but it must be anchored in a word from the Lord. • Acting without a clear message risks confusion and disappointment—both for us and for those we try to help. Lesson 2 – Wait for God’s Timing • Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” • Ahimaaz outran the Cushite but arrived empty-handed; speed without substance does not profit the kingdom. • David, by contrast, “inquired of the LORD” before pursuing the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:8). Waiting added victory. Lesson 3 – Honor God-Appointed Authority • Joab, though imperfect, understood protocol: the king needed a truthful, complete report. • Submitting our plans to wise, godly counsel protects us from impulsive errors (Proverbs 15:22). Lesson 4 – Seek Clarity Before You Speak • James 1:19 reminds us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” • Ahimaaz’s partial knowledge forced him into vague answers before a grieving king. • When God gives a word, it carries weight; when we invent one, it falls flat. Lesson 5 – Ask God, Receive Direction • James 1:5: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given to him.” • The Spirit redirected Paul away from Bithynia and toward Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10); guidance kept the mission on course. • The same Spirit grants present-day believers clear leading through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel. Putting It into Practice • Pause: refuse to sprint until you have Scripture-shaped clarity. • Pray: invite the Spirit to confirm or restrain your plans. • Consult: seek mature believers who will test your idea against the Word. • Proceed: move forward only when the message and the timing align with God’s revealed will (Proverbs 3:5-6). Eagerness is a gift; guidance is a necessity. Let Ahimaaz remind us to listen before we run. |
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