The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.”
How easily we deceive ourselves sometimes when we are not ready for the worst. David was awaiting word about his rebellious son Absalom and hoping he was alive. The messenger had different news, that he was killed in his rebellion. Note the criteria David used to convince himself that Absalom was fine. Ahimaaz the son of Zadok was a good man. He simply was not willing to entertain the notion that his own son would commit treason against his father the king and suffer the consequences for it. But suffer he did and soon David would too, whether he was ready or not.
There are many who deceive themselves in a similar way. They think they will hear good news when they stand before Jesus because they themselves were good people. They refuse to confront the reality that they have committed treason against the King, their heavenly Father and are about to suffer eternal consequences for their rebellion. Today, may we speak reason to people who think they have reasons for being saved. May they hear the Good News today that no matter how good they are, bad news awaits them without the shed blood of Jesus that cleanses them of sin.
Dear Lord, thank you that you do not judge us based on our self-deceit but on the self-sacrifice of Jesus. May we die to self today and worship him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church