DAILY TEXT, From today Tuesday May 23, 2023, If we have food and clothing, let us be content with that (1 Tim. 6:8).

DAILY TEXT, From today Tuesday May 23, 2023,  If we have food and clothing, let us be content with that (1 Tim. 6:8).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Tuesday May 23

If we have food and clothing, let us be content with that (1 Tim. 6:8).

What Paul meant by these words is that we should be content with what we have in a material sense (Phil. 4:12). The most valuable possession we have is our friendship with God, not material things (Hab. 3:17, 18). Let's look at what Moses told the Israelites after they had spent 40 years in the desert: “The Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done. […] During these 40 years, Jehovah your God has been with you and you have lacked nothing” (Deut. 2:7). During those 40 years, Jehovah gave them manna for food. And his clothing, the same with which they had left Egypt, never wore out (Deut. 8: 3, 4). Jehovah will be happy if we learn to be content with what we have, that is, if we value even the smallest things that he gives us, see them as a blessing, and give thanks for them. w22.01 5 paras. 10,

LET US BE SURE THAT JEHOVAH WILL TAKE CARE OF US

How do we know that David trusted in Jehovah and not in himself?

David knew that Jehovah is loyal and cares deeply for those who love him. Although his life was in danger when he composed Psalm 34, his faith was so strong that he felt as if the angel of Jehovah were encamping around him (Ps. 34:7). Apparently, David compared the angel of the Lord to a soldier who was camping, very alert in case the enemy appeared. Although David was a mighty warrior and Jehovah had promised him that he would become king, he did not trust his ability to throw a stone or use a sword to defeat his enemies (1 Sam. 16:13; 24 :12). Rather, he trusted in God and his angel rescues those who fear him. Of course, we don't expect him to miraculously protect us today. But what we do know is that no servant of God who trusts in him will suffer permanent harm.

When Gog of Magog launches his attack, why will it look like we're easy targets, but why won't we be afraid?

In the near future, our confidence in Jehovah's ability to protect us will be tested. When Gog of Magog, a coalition or group of nations, attacks us, we may think that he will end our lives. Then we will have to be convinced that Jehovah can and will deliver us. To the nations we will be like defenseless sheep that have no one to protect them (Ezek. 38:10-12). They will think that we are an easy target, because we have no weapons or training for war. They will not see what we will see with the eyes of faith: an army of angels camping around the people of God ready to defend us. How could the nations see it, if they do not have faith in Jehovah? What a surprise they will be in for when the armies of heaven come to the rescue! (Rev. 19:11, 14, 15).

What must we do now to prepare for the future?

What can we do now to prepare for the future? First, we must have the proper judgment about material things and remember that one day we will have to leave everything behind. In addition, we must be content with what is necessary and feel very happy to be Jehovah's friends. The better we know our God, the more convinced we will be that he can protect us when Gog of Magog attacks us.

What past experiences taught David that Jehovah would never fail him?

Let's see what else helped David cope with the trials. He said: “Taste and see that Jehovah is good; happy is the man who takes refuge in him ′′ (Ps. 34:8). These words reveal to us why David knew that he could count on Jehovah's backing. He often leaned on his God, and it never failed him. When he was young, David confronted a giant Philistine warrior named Goliath and told him: “This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hands” (1 Sam. 17:46). Later, when he was in the service of King Saul, he tried to kill him several times, but "the Lord was with David" (1 Sam. 18:12). Since he had seen the hand of Jehovah in the past, he knew that now he would continue to help him. That itself can help us prepare for the tests.

In what ways can we prove that Jehovah is good?

The more we seek Jehovah's guidance now, the more confident we will be that he will help us in the future. For example, we must have faith and trust in Jehovah to ask our employer to give us free time to go to an assembly or to ask him to make changes to our schedule so that we can go to all the meetings and preach more. Let's imagine that he rejects our request and we lose our job. Do we have faith that Jehovah will never leave us and never forsake us, and that he will always give us the things we need? (Heb. 13:5). Many brothers in full-time service can tell how Jehovah helped them when they needed it most. Jehovah is faithful.