“Someone really ought to do that.” We all know this sentence, whether at home, at school, among friends, or in the assembly. We see that help is needed or that something is going wrong. But far too often, we wait for someone else to take the first step.

In the Bible, we find people who didn’t wait but took the initiative right away. What can we learn from them?

Bible reading

Ruth came to Bethlehem with Naomi during harvest time. Both needed something to eat. For Ruth, it certainly wasn’t easy to go into the fields in a foreign country and pick up what the workers left behind. But she did not wait for someone to bring her food. After a brief discussion with her mother-in-law, she set off and gathered diligently.

We too should gather. Not grain, but the Word of God. Do you take the initiative and read your Bible diligently? Or are you waiting for others to provide you with spiritual nourishment?

Protecting yourself from the enemy

Nehemiah heard that the wall of Jerusalem was destroyed. He could have thought: “I am the king’s cupbearer. What can I possibly change about that?” But he neither remained indifferent nor let it deter him. He asked the king to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.

We also need spiritual protection. Where “walls” have been torn down, we must rebuild them. The enemy looks for open places to trap and rob us. Do you take the initiative and spare no cost or effort to build a wall there where something in your life keeps becoming a problem?

Preservation from sin

David was furious. He had asked Nabal for payment, but Nabal had mocked him and turned him away. David then wanted to go against Nabal and his men. When Abigail heard, she did not wait for the situation to escalate. Immediately, she set out and went to meet David. Through her wise and humble actions, she dissuaded him from bringing about a great disaster.

Even today anger can arise in a believer. How good it is, then, when someone dares to calm him down and keep him from further sin. This is not easy, but it is richly rewarded – as with Abigail.

Helping

A paralyzed man could not come to the Lord Jesus by himself. His four friends saw his need and wanted to help him. When they couldn’t get into the house because of the crowd, they could have said, “Then it just won’t work today – we’ll try again in the next few days.” But they did not give up so quickly. Without further ado, they climbed onto the roof, opened it, and let their friend down – right in front of Jesus.

Do you know someone who is spiritually sick or weak? Then do not wait for him to go to the Lord Jesus on his own. Take the first step and try to help him come closer to the Lord and grow in faith.

Not presumptuously!

After the great victory over Jericho, the Israelites were facing the next city: Ai. They assessed the situation and were convinced they could defeat this small city with just a few soldiers. So they set out. But they had not asked God. The result: a defeat!

Initiative is good. But let us not forget that we are powerless on our own. It is not enough simply to set off courageously. We need God’s guidance and strength. We receive these only when we pray and keep God’s Word “in our pocket.” Otherwise, we will experience defeat!