DAILY TEXT, From today  Tuesday August 29, 2023,  If you get discouraged in difficult times, you will lack strength (Prov. 24:10).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Tuesday August 29

If you get discouraged in difficult times, you will lack strength (Prov. 24:10).

Many of us find it uphill to face changes. Some who have been in one facet of special service full-time for a long time have received a change of assignment. Others may have had to give up a responsibility that they really liked due to age. In these cases it is natural to feel sad. Seeing things as Jehovah sees them is something that will help us cope better with change. He is doing great things today, and we have the great honor of working with him (1 Cor. 3:9). Jehovah's love for us will not change. So, if a change in the organization affects you personally, don't be left wondering why the change happened. Instead of missing “old times,” ask God to help you see the positive aspects of the new situation (Eccl. 7:10). Keep a positive attitude to remain happy and faithful even if circumstances change. w22.03 17 paras. 11, 12.

WHEN IT IS HARD FOR US TO FOLLOW SOME INSTRUCTIONS

Why might some Jews think that resuming the rebuilding of the temple was a bad decision?

Although the rebuilding of the temple was still prohibited, the men who led the people—the high priest Jeshua (Joshua) and the governor Zerubbabel—“returned to rebuilding the house of God” (Ezra 5:1, 2). It may have seemed like a bad decision to some Jews, because the works could not be hidden and their enemies would do everything possible to prevent it. Joshua and Zerubbabel, who were the two responsible men, needed to know that they had Jehovah's support. And Jehovah gave them what they needed. Let's see how.

What did the words of Zechariah 4:12, 14 assure Joshua the high priest and the governor Zerubbabel?

(Read Zechariah 4:12, 14.) In this part of the vision, the angel reveals to God's faithful prophet that the two olive trees represent “the two anointed ones”: Joshua and Zerubbabel. These two men are said to be figuratively “standing by the side of the Lord of all the earth,” Jehovah. This place of honor demonstrates the great confidence that Jehovah has in them. So the other Jews have every reason to trust their decisions, because Jehovah is using them to guide the people.

How do we show that we respect Jehovah's guidance in his Word?

One way Jehovah continues to guide his people today is through his Word, the Bible. In it, he tells us how he wants us to adore him. And how do we show that we respect the guidance he gives us in his holy Word? Taking time to read it carefully and understand it. Ask yourself: “When I read the Bible or one of our publications, do I stop and meditate on what I am reading? Do I investigate Biblical truths that are 'difficult to understand'? Or do I just read the information above?” (2 Pet. 3:16). If we take time to reflect on what Jehovah teaches us, we can follow his guidance and fulfill our ministry (1 Tim. 4:15, 16).

What will help us to follow the instructions of the “faithful and prudent slave” if we do not fully understand them?

Another way that Jehovah guides his people is through the “faithful and prudent slave” (Matt. 24:45). Sometimes the slave may give us instructions that we don't fully understand. For example, we may receive very specific instructions for surviving a natural disaster that we think is unlikely to occur in our area. Or perhaps it seems to us that the slave is being too cautious during a pandemic. So what should we do if we think the instructions we receive are impractical? Perhaps we should remember how the Jews benefited from following the instructions they received through Joshua and Zerubbabel. We might also think of other Bible stories we have read. How many times did God's servants receive instructions that did not seem practical from a human point of view but that in the end saved their lives! (Judges 7:7; 8:10).

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