Quickly!

King Joash was not happy. Desiring to repair the house of the Lord, he told the priests and Levites to gather money and act “quickly.” The Hebrew word here means to be like liquid, to move without delay.

But they failed to obey. Perhaps they were afraid or lacked confidence. Perhaps they had other priorities or were busy. Perhaps they simply were lazy.

But to Joash there were no acceptable excuses. They acted only after he warned them. They would’ve been better off if they had obeyed immediately.

Every day, the business world is filled with people just like these priests—those who have a job to do but who make excuses and delay. They’ve set other priorities.

We also see people like this in homes, communities, and churches—people who have neglected their personal relationship with God. Too often, He gives us an assignment, a direction, a call, or a prompting, and we delay or make excuses. We can even be like Jonah, and instead of obeying, decide to go in a different direction (Jonah 1:1-3).

The Bible tells us God looks for people who are responsive, faithful, and obedient. As Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21).

What is God saying to you? Has He given you an assignment? Do you feel His prompting to do or say something?

Don’t delay or make excuses. Obey Him. Trust Him. Move forward by faith. Do it now!