2 Sam. 20:1-10, PUNCTUALITY vs. tardiness

1)    Definition: showing high esteem for other people and their time.

2)    Scripture: Ps. 119:60; Isa. 46:13; Prov. 3:27-28; 25:11; 31:15; Ex. 22:29; Ecc. 3:1; Ac. 22:16; 2 Cor. 6:2; Gal. 4:4; 1 Pet. 5:6; Heb. 10:37; Mt. 24:48.

3)    Underlying Principle: Christians are commanded to love (John 13:34-35) and honor (Phil. 2:3-4) others.

4)    Illustration: 2 Sam. 20:1-10.  This is the story of Amasa, whom David had appointed to replace Joab as commander of his army.  Amasa delayed in gathering the army as David commanded and put the nation in jeopardy.  It was a problem for Amasa, although it did not justify Joab killing Amasa.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Is God ever late?  Asking this allows us to see that being on time is a virtrue.

i)      Gal. 4:4: The Incarnation was right on time.

ii)   Heb. 10:37; Matt. 24:48: The return of Christ will be on time, God’s time.

iii)            Isa. 46:13: Deliverance (salvation) comes at the right time; you may think God is late but there is “no delay.”

iv) 1 Pet. 5:6: The humble will be exalted in due time, the right time.

v)    Gal. 6:9: Service for the Lord is rewarded at the right time.

b)    What areas of life are suggested in these verses in which we should be punctual?  WARNING: This is not a complete list.  And it should not make us think it is simply up to us.  As we noted above, God’s intends to be our help.

i)      Acts 22:16; 2 Cor. 6:2: There is no time to wait when it comes to trusting Jesus Christ for salvation.

ii)   Psalm 119:60: Likewise, there is no time to wait in obedience to God’s word.  Waiting only brings loss of reward and unhappiness.

iii)            Prov. 25:11: We should not delay when it is the right time to give an encouraging word to others.  We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in this.

iv) Ex. 22:29: We ought not delay in giving gifts and offerings to the Lord.

v)    Prov. 3:27-28: Likewise, we should not delay in paying our debts.  Failure is a bad testimony and deprives others of their needs.

vi) Prov. 31:15: We should be timely in fulfilling our household responsibilities; each of us has a great ministry to carry out in our homes.

Last, here is something to consider, from Eph. 5:16/Col. 4:5.  Christians are to “redeem the time.”  That means we are to make good use of our days and moments.  Punctuality has a lot to do with that!  It would be good to commit to memory one of these verses.