2 Samuel 20:5 (KJV) Not Ahead—Not Behind

2 Samuel 20:5 (KJV)

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

Recently I heard a message on the danger of rushing ahead of the Lord. That stirred a question in my mind: does the Bible also warn about lagging too far behind God?

Most examples I found pointed to fear and unbelief—people holding back because they did not trust God to bless or use them. I’ve seen that firsthand. Some are afraid to teach a Sunday school class or step into the pulpit because they fear saying something wrong. Others hesitate to move forward with building or missions projects because of the cost.

Years ago, David Gibbs of the Christian Law Association warned pastors that if we claim to be a ministry of faith, we ought to do something that actually requires faith.

Amasa gives us a sobering example. He had once been Absalom’s general. After Absalom’s death, David forgave Amasa and even gave him Joab’s position. When a crisis arose, Amasa was told to assemble the army—promptly.

But he tarried.

Why he delayed isn’t stated, but the delay mattered. David turned back to Joab, who seized the opportunity to eliminate his rival.

I’m not certain all the lessons that should be drawn from Amasa’s death, but I do know this: over the years I’ve learned to give assignments to people I trust to act when action is needed. Some people simply never move with urgency.

Yes, it’s dangerous to get ahead of God. But it can also be harmful to stay behind Him too long. I’ve seen a few people wait longer than I expected, only to take a giant step forward when the time was right. Sadly, I’ve seen far more cases where procrastination caused real damage.

Timing matters. Obedience delayed can become obedience denied.

#DelayedObedience #TarriedTooLong #FaithRequiresAction  #TrustAndTiming #FollowingGodNow

Not Ahead—Not Behind: Learning God’s Timing from a Costly Biblical Mistake

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Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

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2 Samuel 20:5 (KJV) Not Ahead—Not Behind

2 Samuel 19:22 (KJV) Strength Without Violence

2 Samuel 19:22 (KJV)

And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

I am reminded of a New Testament passage:

Luke 9:53–56 (KJV)
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

There are always those who want to strike first and ask questions later. Neither David nor Jesus were of that nature. Though some could argue that both would have had just cause to settle matters against their detractors—and that both had the authority to do so—neither demonstrated such a spirit.

Our text tells us why.

“…do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?”

David knew his position. He had no reason to lop off heads or destroy those who had taken the other side in the contest. Only those who possess something they ought not have are eager to fight to defend it. David knew the kingdom had been given to him by God. It was God’s to keep or God’s to take away.

Jesus had this same confidence. The Bible says:

John 13:3 (KJV)
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Jesus also said:

John 10:17–18 (KJV)
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Such confidence inclined Him to peace, not violence.

When we are confident in our relationship with God, we have no reason to be defensive—even in the face of cruel attacks against us and our faith.

Of course, we know David was willing to strike when it was necessary and just. He never fought to defend himself, but he fought without hesitation for his nation. That was the role appointed to him by God.

We also know that Jesus will one day strike. He came as a Lamb the first time, but the Bible warns that He will return as a Lion.

The longsuffering and grace of God must never be mistaken for weakness or delay.
The right time to be reconciled to God is today.

#ConfidenceInGod #SpiritOfGrace #BiblicalLeadership #StrengthUnderControl #GodGivenAuthority

Strength Without Violence: The Difference Between Godly Authority and Defensive Anger

If this message helped you see biblical strength more clearly, don’t scroll past it. 

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Join the conversation below: Where have you seen the difference between godly authority and defensive anger—either in Scripture or real life? Your comment may help another believer more than you realize.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 19:22 (KJV) Strength Without Violence

1 Corinthians 3:14 (KJV) Are You Building a Life That Will Burn Up-

1 Corinthians 3:14 (KJV)

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

An abiding work. That’s the goal of every man. I read this morning that even Absalom built a pillar so something would outlive him. He had no children, and I imagine he knew his rebellion wasn’t going to end well (2 Samuel 18:18).

It must be especially true of the believer to desire an abiding work, because we have the promise of an eternally abiding life. I want my life to matter for far more than myself. I want to make a difference in eternity.

An abiding work.
Gold, silver, precious stones.
Something that will survive the fire.

But how?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19–21 (KJV):

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

A heart that is set on heaven will be quick to spot the things that last in heaven.

#AbidingWork #EternalRewards #TreasuresInHeaven #FaithThatLasts  #BuiltForEternity

Are You Building a Life That Will Burn Up — or Last Forever?

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Start building what survives the fire — today.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

1 Corinthians 3:14 (KJV) Are You Building a Life That Will Burn Up- or Last Forever?

2 Samuel 17:14 (KJV) God’s Sovereignty in Crisis

2 Samuel 17:14 (KJV)

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

I’m struck by how completely opposite Hushai’s counsel was from Ahithophel’s. We know, from the benefit of our perspective, that Hushai’s agenda was also entirely opposite.

Hushai secretly sought Absalom’s defeat.
Ahithophel openly sought David’s defeat.

Hushai counseled a well-prepared campaign.
Ahithophel counseled an immediate attack.

Hushai suggested Absalom’s participation.
Ahithophel advised a smaller operation.

Hushai counseled a route focused on engaging the enemy.
Ahithophel counseled killing only David and sparing the people.

Obviously, we cannot know how things would have turned out had Absalom followed Ahithophel’s counsel. We can only know that he followed Hushai and that it led to his own destruction.

I am not trained in military matters. I would be curious to hear from someone who is, to see which counsel they would say is more sound. My guess is that both have merit and that, though strategy, effort, and skill always play a part in success or defeat, this entire event was orchestrated by the Lord to defeat Absalom, return David to the throne, and chasten Ahithophel.

David’s reasoning in the previous chapter was correct. God did look upon him, bless him, and protect his kingdom.

Trusting God, though sometimes placing us in challenging places, always lands us squarely in His blessings.

#TrustTheLord #GodOverrulesCounsel #DivineProvidence #BiblicalWisdom #TheLORDReigns

God’s Sovereignty in Crisis: Good Advice Isn’t Always God’s Plan

Want deeper, Bible-centered insight that helps you understand how God is working even when life feels uncertain? Discover clear, practical teaching rooted in Scripture that strengthens faith, sharpens discernment, and points you back to God’s sovereign hand in every circumstance.

👉 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, teaching videos, books, and resources designed to help you grow in truth, stand strong in your faith, and see God’s purpose more clearly in today’s world.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 17:14 (KJV) God’s Sovereignty in Crisis

2 Samuel 16:12 (KJV) It May Be

2 Samuel 16:12 (KJV)

It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

It is interesting to think about King David. In some instances, he was very certain of the will of God. At times, he could ask the Lord and know whether to go into battle or to refrain. On other occasions, he was instructed to wait, to move to a specific place, and to watch for the Lord’s signal. In those moments, he clearly knew the will of God.

But in this case, he did not know what the outcome would be. He only knew what the appropriate attitude of a believer should be.

Life happens—things both pleasant and unpleasant. Some events are the result of our own actions, while others come through no fault of our own. Sometimes we can search the Word of God and find a clear response and a definite course of action for life’s events. But more often than not, the Bible teaches us the attitude we are to have and not the exact action—trusting God that “it may be” He will turn them in a way we consider favorable.

Yet, as the three Hebrews testified, even if not, that biblical attitude was—and still is—the right one.

#ItMayBeTheLord #TrustingGodsWays #RightAttitude #FaithUnderAffliction #EvenIfNot

It May Be: The Right Attitude When the Outcome Is Unknown

Looking for clear, Bible-centered teaching for uncertain times?
If you’re wrestling with God’s will, facing affliction, or learning how to trust Him when the outcome is unclear, you’ll find practical, Scripture-driven resources to help.

👉 Visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for devotionals, Bible studies, books, and teaching tools designed to strengthen your faith and ground you in God’s Word—right where real life happens.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 16:12 (KJV) It May Be