Hello, thank you for joining me today for Give Him 15. The title of today's post is

capturing God's heart. Second Samuel 18 is a sad chapter. King David's traitorous son

Absalom is killed and his coup overthrown.

A runner, as they called them back then, needs to run with the bittersweet news to David.

The rebellion is over, but your son is dead.

A fast, gifted runner named Ahimeaz wanted to carry the news, but David's general chose an

unnamed Kushite and off he went. Ahemez, however, was not to be denied. Please, let me also run, he pleaded. The general finally said okay,

and Ahemiyaz took off. He was so fast that he eventually passed the Kushite and proudly

delivered the message to David that the coup was over. Speed had won or had it. When David then asked about

his rebellious son, Absalom, Ahemez answered with embarrassment that he didn't know. He hadn't

cared enough to find out about David's son.

The Kushite then arrived and gave David the rest of the sad news.

Your son is dead.

Ahemias didn't have the complete message because his motive for running was not for the king. It was for

himself. David had not only defeated an enemy, he had also lost a son whom he still loved.

Ahemez eventually stepped aside in ignorance, insignificance, and embarrassment as a nameless individual took center stage and delivered the complete message.

This is such a poignant warning for us, especially as we move into revival. Our message will always be

deficient if it isn't connected to the king's heart. I'm speaking, of course, of God, our king.

His passions, purposes, and heart of love must be the ultimate goal

of our running. In Philippians 314, Paul said, I pressed toward the mark. His goal, or mark, as he called it, was clear.

In verse 12, he said,

I press on that I may lay hold of that,

...