Move Fast to Do Good

by Rick Warren — January 2, 2020

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them” (Proverbs 3:27 NLT).

We’ve talked for the last couple of days about when to move fast in response to God’s Spirit. Here’s what we’ve said so far: Obey quickly when God tells you to do something. Move fast when you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness. Be quick to keep your promises to God. And when you’re faced with temptation, run!

Today we’re going to look at two more times when you should move fast. First, move fast when you have the opportunity to do good. The Bible says it over and over: When you see a chance to do something good for someone else, do it immediately.

This year, God will put people in your life with needs. Their needs might be physical. Some could be emotional, like a need for kindness or encouragement.

Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them” (NLT).

If, for example, you see someone who is experiencing homelessness, don’t say, “I’ve got to help the homeless someday.” Instead, help right then.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 11:4, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (TLB).

There’s never a “perfect” time to do anything. Plus, none of us are guaranteed even tomorrow. In John 9:4, Jesus says, “All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end” (TLB).

Finally, the last time you should move quickly is the most important. You should move quickly when God offers salvation. God has offered you salvation, and today is the day to accept it.

When I was a teenager, I had a poster on my bedroom wall that said, “Not to decide is to decide.”

When you say, “Not yet,” you’re actually saying no to Christ. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Right now God is ready to welcome you. Today he is ready to save you” (TLB).

How do you accept salvation? You turn away from yourself and toward God. You trust Christ to come into your life, forgive your sins, and make you who he wants you to be.

If you want to start your new year by accepting God’s salvation, you can pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.

Saying yes to salvation is the best way to start the new year.

Talk It Over

  • When did someone do good for you last year? What did that feel like?
  • What opportunities to do something good have you been putting off? Choose one of those things that you can do today.
  • Have you said yes to God’s offer of salvation? If not, reread the prayer at the end of the devotional. Is that something you’re ready to pray today? Remember, not to decide is to decide.

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.