Study From The Watchtower, Week of January 16 to 22, 2023, May nothing separate you from Jehovah, Underlined Answers.

Study From The Watchtower, January 16-22, 2023, May nothing separate you from Jehovah, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Answer.

Dark Yellow: Additional Answer.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

“I, O Jehovah, trust in you” (Ps. 31:14).

1. How do we know that Jehovah wants to be close to us?

JEHOVAH invites us to be close to him (James 4:8). He wants to be our God, our Father and our friend. He answers our prayers and helps us when we have problems. In addition, he teaches us and cares for us through his organization. Now, what should we do to be close to him?

2. How can we draw closer to Jehovah?

2 We can draw near to Jehovah by praying to him, reading his Word, and meditating on it. This will make us feel love and gratitude for him. We will want to give him all the obedience and praise that he so deserves (Rev. 4:11). The more we get to know him, the more we will trust him and the organization he has set up to take care of us.

3. (a) How does the Devil try to separate us from Jehovah? b) What do we need to never abandon our God and his organization? (Psalm 31:13, 14).

3 However, the Devil tries to separate us from Jehovah, a). especially when we have problems. As it does? It tries to weaken our trust in Jehovah and in his organization. But we can face it. If we have b). With strong faith and absolute trust in Jehovah, we will not abandon him or his organization.—Read Psalm 31:13, 14.

4. What will we talk about in this article?

4 In this article, we will discuss three situations that arise outside of the congregation that could damage our trust in Jehovah and his organization. How could these situations separate us from our God? And what can we do to fight against Satan?

 WHEN WE HAVE PROBLEMS

5. How might difficulties damage our confidence in Jehovah and his organization?

5 Sometimes we may have to deal with opposition from family members or loss of employment. How might these difficulties damage our confidence in Jehovah's organization and lead us away from him? When a problem lasts a long time, we may think that our situation is hopeless and we become discouraged. Satan takes advantage of this to make us doubt Jehovah's love. He wants us to start wondering if Jehovah or his organization is to blame for what we are going through. Something similar happened to some of the Israelites who were in Egypt. At first they believed that Jehovah had chosen Moses and Aaron to free them from slavery (Ex. 4:29-31). But when Pharaoh made life more difficult for them, they blamed Moses and Aaron, and told them: "You have made Pharaoh and his servants hate us, and you have put a sword in your hand to kill us" (Ex. 5:19-21). How unfortunate that they blamed the loyal servants of God! If you have been enduring difficulties for a long time, what can you do to continue to trust completely in Jehovah and in his organization?

6. What do we learn from Habakkuk's example? (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

6 Open your heart wide to Jehovah and lean on him. The prophet Habakkuk went through many difficulties. It seems that at one point he doubted that Jehovah was interested in him. So he told her everything he felt. Said, “Oh, Jehovah, how long do I have to cry out for help for You to hear? […] Why do you tolerate oppression?” (Hab. 1:2, 3). Jehovah answered the sincere prayer of this faithful man (Hab. 2:2, 3). After reflecting on how Jehovah had saved his people, Habakkuk found joy. He became convinced that Jehovah did care for him and would help him endure any trial.—Read Habakkuk 3:17-19. What is the lesson? When you have problems, pray to Jehovah, tell him how you feel, and lean on him. You can be sure that Jehovah will give you the strength to endure. And when you see how you hold it, your faith will grow stronger.

7. What did a family member try to convince Shirley of, and what helped her continue to trust in Jehovah?

7 Do not neglect your spiritual activities. That's what helped a sister in Papua New Guinea named Shirley when she was in trouble. His family was poor, and sometimes they had a hard time getting enough food. A family member tried to shake his trust in Jehovah by telling him: “You say that God's holy spirit is helping you. But where is that help? You are still poor. You waste time preaching." Shirley admits that at one point she wondered if Jehovah really remembered her and her family. She recounts: “Right away I prayed to Jehovah and vented to him. I continued to read the Bible and our publications, and I did not stop preaching and attending meetings.” Shirley soon realized that Jehovah was taking care of her family, because they were not hungry and they were happy. It says: “I saw the answer of Jehovah to my prayers” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). If you keep up your spiritual activities, neither problems nor doubts will keep you from Jehovah.

WHEN RESPONSIBLE BROTHERS ARE ABUSED

8. What could happen to brothers with responsibilities in the organization?

8 Through the media and social networks, our enemies spread lies or inaccurate information about brothers with responsibilities in Jehovah's organization (Ps. 31:13). Some brothers have been arrested and accused of being criminals. Something similar happened in the first century. The apostle Paul was wrongfully accused and arrested. What did the Christians of that time do?

9. How did some Christians react when the apostle Paul was arrested?

9 When the apostle Paul was arrested in Rome, some Christians abandoned him (2 Tim. 1:8, 15). Could it be that they felt ashamed because Pablo was considered a criminal? (2 Tim. 2:8, 9). Or were they afraid that they too would be persecuted? Be that as it may, Pablo must have felt very bad. He had endured so much and had even risked his life for them (Acts 20:18-21; 2 Cor. 1:8). Let's never be like these Christians who abandoned Paul when he needed support. What should we remember when persecuting responsible brothers?

10. What should we remember when persecuting responsible brothers, and why?

10 Remember why we are persecuted and who is behind it. In 2 Timothy 3:12 we read: "All who desire to live devotedly to God in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." So it should come as no surprise that responsible brethren are targets of Satan's attacks. His goal is to make them lose their loyalty to Jehovah and make us cower (1 Pet. 5:8).

11. What do we learn from the example of Onesiphorus? (2 Timothy 1:16-18).

Continue to loyally support responsible brothers (read 2 Timothy 1:16-18). In the first century, there was a Christian who did act right when Paul was in prison. His name was Onesiphorus. Paul said of him: "He was not ashamed of my prison chains." On the contrary, Onesiphorus did everything he could to find Pablo, and when he found him, he gave him the help he needed. He risked his life for him! What is the lesson? Don't let fear of others keep you from supporting your brothers who are enduring persecution. Do all you can to defend and help them (Prov. 17:17). They need our love and our support.

12. What do we learn from our brothers and sisters in Russia?

12 Think of what our brothers and sisters in Russia do when they imprison their beloved fellow Christians. When some of them go to court, many brothers show up in court to support them. What is the lesson? If brothers with responsibilities are slandered, arrested or persecuted, do not panic. Pray for them, care for their families, and find ways to support them (Acts 12:5; 2 Cor. 1:10, 11).

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. Onesiphorus visits the apostle Paul in prison. 2. A group of brothers applaud as they watch a brother being taken to prison in handcuffs.

Although Paul was imprisoned, Onesiphorus was brave and supported him. Today, our brothers support their fellow Christians who are in prison, as shown in this representation. (See paragraphs 11 and 12).

WHEN THEY MAKE FUN OF US

13. How can teasing damage our trust in Jehovah and his organization?

13 Unbelieving family members and colleagues at work or school may make fun of us because we preach or uphold Jehovah's high moral standards.—1 Pet. 4:4. They may say, "I like you as a person, but your religion is too strict and old-fashioned." Perhaps some criticize us for the treatment we give to the expelled and say to us: "How can you say that you love the people?" Comments like this can cast doubt in our minds, causing us to wonder: “Could it be that Jehovah expects too much of me? And your organization, will it be too strict? If you are in a situation like this, what can you do to keep from drifting away from Jehovah and his organization?

14. How should we react if others make fun of us for keeping Jehovah's standards? (Psalm 119:50-52).

14 Strongly uphold Jehovah's standards. Job was a man who supported Jehovah's standards even though others made fun of him. One of his false friends even tried to convince him that God did not care whether Job followed his laws or not (Job 4:17, 18; 22:3). But Job did not believe those lies. She knew that Jehovah's standards of what is right and what is wrong are the right ones, and she strongly supported them. He did not allow others to make him give up his integrity (Job 27:5, 6). What is the lesson? Don't let ridicule make you doubt Jehovah's standards. Think about how your life has been for obeying them. Haven't you seen the benefits time and time again? Strongly support the organization that upholds those standards. Thus, no matter how much people mock, they will never be able to separate you from Jehovah.—Read Psalm 119:50-52.

ILLUSTRATION

Job, covered in ulcers, is sitting on the ground and looking up at the sky. One of the three false friends points to the sky and mocks Job.

Job did not believe the lies of the false friends who made fun of him. He was determined to be loyal to Jehovah. (See paragraph 14).

15. Why did Brizit have to put up with her family's teasing?

15 Let's look at the experience of Brizit, a sister from India. Because he was a Witness, he had to put up with the ridicule of his relatives. She was baptized in 1997, and shortly thereafter her husband, who was not a Witness, lost his job. So he decided that they and their daughters would move in with his parents, who lived in another city. But Brizit's problems did not end there. Since her husband was still out of work, she had to work full time to support the family. And on top of that the nearest congregation was about 350 kilometers (220 miles). Unfortunately, her husband's relatives turned against her for being a Witness. Things got so bad that Brizit and her family had to move again. Then something unexpected happened: her husband passed away. Then one of his daughters died of cancer at just 12 years old. And, as if all this were not enough, Brizit's own family blamed her for all those tragedies. They told him that if he had not become a Jehovah's Witness, none of this would have happened. But she kept trusting in Jehovah and stayed close to his organization.

16. What blessings did Brizit receive for staying close to Jehovah and his organization?

16 Because Brizit lived so far from the congregation, a circuit overseer encouraged her to preach in her area and hold meetings in her home. At first she thought that was too much for her. But he followed the suggestions of the superintendent, and began to preach, hold meetings in his home, and have family worship with his daughters. Which it was the result? Brizit was able to start many Bible courses, and a good number of her students were baptized. And in 2005 she became a regular pioneer. Their trust in Jehovah and their loyalty to the organization were rewarded. Her daughters are faithful servants of Jehovah, and there are now two congregations in the area. Brizit is sure that Jehovah gave her the strength to endure the trials and ridicule of her family.

BE LOYAL TO JEHOVAH AND HIS ORGANIZATION

17. What must we be determined to do?

17 Satan wants us to think that in bad times Jehovah abandons us and that supporting his organization only makes life more difficult for us. He also wants us to be afraid when brothers with responsibilities are slandered, persecuted or imprisoned. In addition, he uses mockery to damage our confidence in Jehovah's standards and in his organization. But we already know their evil tactics very well and we are not fooled (2 Cor. 2:11). Let us firmly reject their lies and always be loyal to Jehovah and his organization. Let us remember that Jehovah will never abandon us (Ps. 28:7). So let's not let anything separate us from Jehovah! (Rom. 8:35-39).

18. What will we see in the next article?

18 In this article we talk about situations that arise outside the congregation and that test our trust in Jehovah and his organization. But within the congregation other difficult situations can also occur. How can we face them? We will see that in the next article.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE CLOSE TO JEHOVAH AND HIS ORGANIZATION IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS?

When we have problems.

We can open our hearts wide to Jehovah and lean on him.

When we have problems, we can pray to Jehovah, and tell him how we feel and lean on him. We can be sure that Jehovah will give us the strength to endure. And when we see how he sustains us, our faith will grow stronger.

If we keep up with our spiritual pursuits, neither problems nor doubts will keep us from Jehovah.

When the responsible brothers are mistreated.

We must not let fear of others prevent us from supporting our brothers who are enduring persecution. Let's do everything we can to defend and help them. They need our love and our support.

If our brothers with responsibilities are slandered, arrested or persecuted, we should not be afraid. instead we must pray for them, take care of their families and find ways to give them our support.

When they make fun of us.

We must not allow ridicule to make us doubt Jehovah's standards. Rather, let's think about how we have fared in life for obeying them. That is why we must strongly support the organization that upholds these standards, no matter how mocked, they will never separate us from Jehovah.

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