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Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Tuesday, October 18
Your eyes must look straight ahead (Prov. 4:25).
Let us imagine the following three cases. An elderly sister replays in her mind some good moments in her life. Now things are more complicated for her, but she continues to do all she can for Jehovah (1 Cor. 15:58). Every day she imagines herself living in Paradise together with her loved ones. Another sister recalls a time when someone in the congregation hurt her, but she decides not to hold a grudge (Col. 3:13). And a brother does not forget the mistakes he has made in the past, but concentrates on remaining faithful from now on (Ps. 51:10). What do these three brothers have in common? That all of them are very aware of their past but do not live in it. Rather, they look ahead, that is, into the future. Why is it important that we keep our eyes fixed on the future? Because, just as a person cannot walk in a straight line if he is always looking back, we will not be able to advance in our service to Jehovah if we are always looking back (Luke 9:62). w20.11 24 paras. 1-35.
What warning does Ecclesiastes 7:10 give us?
(Read Ecclesiastes 7:10). Note that the verse does not say that it is wrong to ask why the past times were good, but why they were better than now. After all, good memories are a gift from Jehovah. The problem is to compare our previous circumstances with the current ones and come to the conclusion that now everything is worse. Another version of the Bible translates the verse as follows: "Never ask yourself why all past times were better, for that is not an intelligent question."
Why is it not wise to constantly think that our life was better before? Give an example.
Why is it not wise to constantly think that our life was better before? Because nostalgia can make us remember only the good or downplay the problems we had at the time. Think of the ancient Israelites: as soon as they left Egypt they forgot how hard their lives had been and only remembered the rich foods they enjoyed there. They said: “How we miss the fish that we ate for free in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic!” (Num. 11:5). But was it true that what they ate cost them nothing? No. In fact, they paid a high price, since in Egypt they were subjected to cruel slavery (Ex. 1:13, 14; 3:6-9). But in a short time they forgot their problems and began to long for the past. Instead of concentrating on all that Jehovah had just done for them, they decided to focus all their attention on the old days. This greatly displeased Jehovah (Num. 11:10).
What helped a sister not to fall into homesickness?
What will she help us not to fall into nostalgia? Consider the case of a sister who began serving at Brooklyn Bethel in 1945. A few years later, she married another Bethel and they served together for several decades. In 1976, he got sick. When he realized that he was going to pass away soon, he gave his wife some good advice for when she was widowed. He told her, “We have had a happy marriage. A lot of people don't know what that is." And he added: “Although the memories persist, do not live in the past. Time will help you get over the pain. Don't be bitter or feel sorry for yourself. Give thanks for the joys and blessings you have had. [...] Memories are a gift from God.” What sound advice!
What blessings did this sister receive for not living in the past?
The sister heeded the advice. She faithfully served Jehovah until he passed away at the age of 92. A few years earlier, she recounted: “As I reflect on my more than 63 years in Jehovah’s full-time service, I can honestly say that I have led a full life.” Why? She explained: “What fills me most is our wonderful brotherhood and the hope of living with our brothers on a paradise earth, serving our Grand Creator, the one true God, Jehovah, for all eternity.”c What a fine example of someone who always looked to the future!
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