DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Oh, For my name's sake you will be brought before kings and governors (Luke 21:12).

DAILY TEXT, From today Tuesday, January 9, 2024, For my name's sake they will be brought before kings and governors (Luke 21:12).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Tuesday January 9, 2024

For my name's sake they will be brought before kings and governors (Luke 21:12).

Fear of government opposition is not Satan's only weapon. He also uses the fear that some have of how his family will react if they become Witnesses. There are those who fear that more than suffering physical abuse. They love their family members very much and want them to come to know and love Jehovah. It hurts them to hear them speak ill of the true God and his servants. But sometimes family members who were previously opposed end up accepting the truth. Now, if someone in our family no longer wants to know anything about us, what will we do? How beautiful and comforting are the words of Psalm 27:10! If we keep in mind how much Jehovah loves us, we will feel safe even if others turn against us and we will have the certainty that he will reward us for our endurance. Jehovah will take care of our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and he will do it better than anyone else. w22.06 16, 17 paras. 11-13.

What does Biniam's example teach you?

Biniam decided to become a Jehovah's Witness even though he knew that cruel persecution from the authorities awaited him. He says: “The persecution by the government was worse than I imagined. But I was more afraid of my family's opposition. “I was terrified of disappointing my father and losing the respect of my family by becoming a Witness.” What helped you overcome this fear? Keep in mind that Jehovah loves you and that he always takes care of those who love him. Biniam explains it this way: “I started thinking about what Jehovah has done to help those who have endured despite financial hardship, prejudice, and group attacks. I knew that if I took hold of Jehovah's strength, he would bless me. They arrested me many times and even tortured me. In those distressing moments, I saw with my own eyes that, if we are loyal to Jehovah, he helps us a lot.” For Biniam, Jehovah became a true father, and the brothers, a true family.

Why is it normal to feel afraid of dying?

The Bible states that death is an enemy (1 Cor. 15:25, 26). Thinking about death can cause us a lot of distress, especially if we or our loved ones are very sick. Why are we afraid to think about death? Because Jehovah created us with the desire to live forever (Eccl. 3:11). But a reasonable degree of fear of death can protect us. For example, it may prompt us to watch our diet, exercise, avoid unnecessary risks, and go to the doctor and take medication when necessary.

How does Satan take advantage of our natural fear of dying?

Satan knows that we value life very much. That is why he assures us that we are willing to sacrifice anything—including our friendship with Jehovah—to stay alive (Job 2:4, 5). But how wrong he is! Because he “has the means to cause death,” he takes advantage of our natural fear of death to turn our backs on Jehovah.​—Heb. 2:14, 15. Sometimes Satan uses people to threaten us and tell us that if we don't renounce our faith, they will kill us. Or he may use a medical emergency to cause us to fall and fail Jehovah. Doctors or non-Witness relatives may pressure us to accept a blood transfusion, which is against God's law. Or perhaps someone tries to convince us to accept a treatment that violates biblical principles.

According to Romans 8:37-39, why should we not be afraid of dying?

None of us wants to die, but we know that if we were to lose our lives, Jehovah would still love us. (Read Romans 8:37-39.) Jehovah's friends who die remain alive in his memory, as if they still existed.​—Luke 20:37, 38. And he is eager to bring them back to life (Job 14:15). Jehovah has paid a very high price for us to have eternal life (John 3:16). We know very well how much he loves us and cares for us. That is why, when we are sick or are threatened with death, we do not turn our backs. On the contrary, we turn to him to give us comfort, wisdom and strength. That is exactly what Valeria and her husband did (Ps. 41:3).

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