Daily Devotionals

Dead End Desperation Week 3: Saturday

"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them." Proverbs 3:27

“How can I help make this situation better?” My friend always asks this question when I or any of my friends share that we are going through a hard time. Whenever she asks this question, it stops me in my tracks. You see, I want to be like her. I want to be the friend who asks, “How can I help?” even when I might be facing a difficult season, too.

Proverbs 3 reminds us to constantly look for ways to help others around us. It says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you’” (verses 26-27). This verse is a call for us to be helpers. It is a call to look beyond ourselves and our situations and find ways to help others. If we want to put this into practice, we have to be able to pay attention and stop only thinking about ourselves and our situations. We need to start looking for the needs of people around us and for ways to help, even if we are going through a difficult situation. We also must not put off helping when we can. We may be facing a difficult circumstance, but we can still help. We should still help. This means laying aside our agenda for the needs of other people around us, which is our call as followers of Christ.

Take some time to think about your life right now. Do you find you are more self-focused than you would like to be? Do you find you are less willing to let go of your own needs than you would like to be? My friend, let’s choose generosity today and take steps every day to become more focused on the needs of others. We must be willing to do something to help, even if it means setting our needs aside. As we help the people around us, we find joy and peace even in the middle of our difficulties.

Moving toward action

Choose today to be a helper. Look for situations where you can help and serve someone else today. When you see needs that you can help meet, meet them. As you do this, you will find joy and perspective in the own situation that you are walking through.

Going Deeper

Proverbs 3:21-35 (NLT)

" My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.

31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.

33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.

34 The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.

35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame"