It’s always the right time
Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. ~ Mark 3:4
To do good or not to do good, that was the question Jesus asked on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were once again upset with Him for healing on that day. It may seem surprising now, but the religious leaders were so committed to enforcing the law of the Sabbath that they often lost sight of caring for people. Their leadership became focused on rule keeping with little or no compassion for the hurting people around them. While order and structure have value, the heart of God’s leadership has always been love.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly, especially on the Sabbath. The day set apart from ordinary work was never meant to be set apart from doing good. In the synagogue that day, Jesus made it clear that mercy is never out of season. It is always the right time to help someone. It is always the right time to bring healing, encouragement, and hope.
This truth remains the same today. When God places compassion in your heart for someone, you do not need to question whether it is appropriate to act. When it comes to helping and encouraging others, there is never a wrong time. Whether you are caring for a sick loved one, checking on an elderly neighbor, preparing a meal, offering prayer, or giving a tired mother a few hours of relief, you can do good right where you are, any day of the week.
Below are some ways you can get started today:
- Begin each morning by asking God to make you aware of someone who needs encouragement that day. A simple prayer opens your heart to notice opportunities.
- Keep your schedule flexible enough to respond when a need comes up. Leave margin in your day so you can act without frustration or scheduling conflict.
- Start small. Send a message of encouragement, make a phone call, or offer to pray with someone in the moment.
- Look within your immediate circle. Family members, coworkers, church members, and neighbors often carry hidden burdens.
- Make compassion a habit. Choose one intentional act of kindness each week and build consistency.
Choose one person today who could use support. Reach out before the day ends. Do not overthink it. Simple obedience builds a lifestyle of mercy.
Today I want to encourage you to embrace the heart of Jesus by choosing compassion over hesitation and action over complacency. Mark 3:4 reminds you that doing good is never out of style. There is no calendar restriction on mercy. When you step forward to bless someone, you demonstrate the love of God in a tangible way, and you walk out your life following the example of your Lord Jesus.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 3:1-12
1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”
4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea
8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
9 So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him.
10 For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.
11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
12 But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.
Journal:
- When was the last time you sensed an opportunity to help someone but hesitated? What held you back?
- Who in your life right now may be silently hoping for encouragement or support?
- How can you build more margin into your schedule so you are ready to respond to needs?
- What is one specific act of kindness you can commit to this week?
The Daily Dose 