DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday July 20, 2022, 2022, The congregations continued to become firm in the faith and grow day after day (Acts 16:5).

DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

The congregations continued to become firm in the faith and to grow day by day (Acts 16:5).

Although first-century Christians suffered persecution on many occasions, they also had some periods of peace. How did they take advantage of them? Those faithful men and women threw themselves into preaching the good news. The Acts account says that the Christian congregation “walked in the fear of Jehovah” and, because they did not stop preaching, “kept on growing.” It is clear that Jehovah blessed the enthusiasm with which they preached in times of peace.​—Acts 9:26-31. The first-century disciples seized every opportunity to announce the good news. For example, the apostle Paul decided to stay in Ephesus when he saw “a great door” open for him to preach and make disciples in that city (1 Cor. 16:8, 9). The disciples did their best to preach “the good news of the word of the Lord” (Acts 15:30-35). Which it was the result? We see it in today's text. w20.09 16 paras. 6-8

How did Jehovah use his power to help Asa?

Let's go back to the days of Asa. The peace enjoyed by the nation of Judah came to an end, as an Ethiopian army of a million soldiers came to attack it. Their commander, Zérah, was convinced that they would defeat Judah. But Asa trusted Jehovah. So he pleaded with her: “Help us, Jehovah our God, for we trust in you, and it is in your name that we came to meet this multitude” (2 Chron. 14:11).

Although the Ethiopian army had almost twice as many soldiers as Judah's army, Asa knew that Jehovah had the power to help his people. And Jehovah did not disappoint him. The Ethiopian army suffered a humiliating defeat (2 Chron. 14:8-13).

How do we know that the peace we have will end?

While we don't know exactly what awaits every servant of God, what we do know is that the peace we may enjoy now will eventually end. Remember that Jesus foretold that in the last days “all nations” would hate his disciples (Matt. 24:9). The apostle Paul said something similar: “All who desire to live with devotion to God in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Furthermore, Satan is “full of fury,” and it would be naive of us to think that we will somehow be spared his attacks (Rev. 12:12).

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