DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday May 10, 2023,  We will reap if we don't get tired (Gal. 6:9).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Wednesday May 10

We will reap if we do not get tired (Gal. 6:9).

The prophet Jeremiah preached for decades despite the indifference and opposition of the people. The insults and taunts so discouraged him that he even considered giving up his assignment (Jer. 20:8, 9). But he did not give up. What helped you fight his negative thoughts and enjoy his preaching? Focus on two important issues. First, that the divine message he brought to people could give them "a future and a hope" (Jer. 29:11). And, second, that Jehovah had chosen him to bear his name (Jer. 15:16). We also carry a message of hope in a world that is in darkness and we carry the name of Jehovah because we are his Witnesses. When we focus on these issues, we enjoy preaching no matter how people react. So let's not get discouraged or give up if a student's progress is taking longer than we expected. Making disciples requires patience (James 5:7, 8). w21.10 27 pars. 12, 13.

What example shows that it can take a long time before people start to listen to us?

In some territories, years go by and no one responds to our message. Let's see the experience of Gladys and Ruby Allen, two full sisters from Canada. In 1959, they were sent as regular pioneers to a city in the province of Quebec.c People were afraid of the priests of the Catholic Church and of the opinion of the people, so they did not listen to them. Gladys recalls: “We preached from door to door for eight hours a day for two years with no one answering. People just saw us through the window in the door and closed the blinds. But we didn't give up." Over time, the attitude of the people softened and the territory became more productive. Today, there are three congregations in that place (Is. 60:22).

What does 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7 teach us about the work of making disciples?

Making disciples is a team effort. It has been said that it takes a congregation to help someone get to baptism (read 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7). For example, a publisher might leave a tract or magazine to someone who showed interest. Then, the brother realizes that her schedule does not allow him to visit her again. So he asks another publisher for help. This publisher starts a Bible study and invites different brothers and sisters to join him, each encouraging the student in some way. Every publisher the student meets helps to water the seed of truth. In this way, as Jesus said, the sower and the reaper can rejoice together by sharing in the spiritual harvest (John 4:35-38).

Even if your strength or health fails, why can you be happy with what you do in the ministry?

And what if you can no longer preach and teach as much as before because your strength or health fails? Still, you can be happy about what you can do at harvest. Let's see what happened when King David and his men defeated a band of Amalekite raiders and took back their families and everything they had stolen from them. Two hundred men were too tired to go fight, so they stayed behind guarding the belongings. After the battle, David said that the spoils would be divided equally among all (1 Sam. 30:21-25). Something similar is happening today with our worldwide disciple-making work. All of us who give our best to Jehovah, including you, can equally rejoice every time a person is rescued and helped to enter the path that leads to life.

What can we thank Jehovah for?

We thank Jehovah that he values ​​the service we give him with love. He knows we can't control the outcome of our efforts, but he notices our hard work and the love we put into it, and he rewards us for it. He also teaches us to be happy with what we can do in the great harvest (John 14:12). Let's not doubt it: God will give us his approval if we don't give up.

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.