DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday, January 24, 2024, To him who is loyal you show loyalty (Ps. 18:25).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

To him who is loyal you show loyalty (Ps. 18:25).

As we approach the end of this system, it is not surprising that difficult situations arise within the congregation that could test our loyalty to Jehovah. That's why we need to maintain good judgment. If we think that a brother has treated us badly, let us not be filled with bitterness. If we are disciplined, let's look beyond the shame caused by the situation, accept the advice and make the necessary changes. And when Jehovah's organization makes changes that affect us personally, let us wholeheartedly support them and follow the guidance given to us. Continue to trust in Jehovah and his organization when his loyalty is tested. Stay calm, think clearly, and see things as Jehovah sees them. Ask Him to help you and never isolate yourself from the brothers in the congregation. Thus, no matter what, Satan will not be able to separate him from Jehovah or his organization (James 4:7). w22.11 24, 25 paras. 14-16.

What organizational change might have tested the loyalty of some Israelites?

When there are changes in the organization, our loyalty can be tested. If we are not careful, we could even drift away from Jehovah. Let's think about an organizational change that occurred with the arrival of the Law of Moses and that affected some Israelites. Until that moment, the heads of the family were the priests of their house; They built altars and made sacrifices to Jehovah on behalf of his people (Gen. 8:20, 21; 12:7; 26:25; 35:1, 6, 7; Job 1:5). But, with the arrival of the Law, the heads of families no longer had that honor. Jehovah appointed priests from Aaron's family to offer sacrifices. From then on, if a householder who was not a descendant of Aaron served as a priest, he could be killed (Lev. 17:3-6, 8, 9).d Was this change one of the reasons why Korah , Dathan and Abiram, and 250 leaders of the people rebelled against Moses and Aaron? (Num. 16:1-3). We cannot assure it. Be that as it may, Korah and the men who supported him were disloyal to Jehovah. What can you do if a change in the organization tests your loyalty?

What lesson do we learn from the example of some Kohatite Levites?

Wholeheartedly support organizational changes. When the Israelites traveled through the desert, the Levites of Kohath's family had a very special job. Each time the camp moved, some Kohatites carried the ark of the covenant in view of all the people (Num. 3:29, 31; 10:33; Josh. 3:2-4). Tremendous honor! But when the Israelites occupied the Promised Land, things changed. It was no longer necessary to move the Ark around. So during Solomon's reign, some Kohathites were singers, others were porters, and still others kept storehouses (1 Chron. 6:31-33; 26:1, 24). The Bible does not say that the Kohatites complained or demanded more prominent jobs, since they had had very special responsibilities in the past. What is the lesson? Wholeheartedly support the changes that Jehovah's organization makes, even if it affects what you were doing up to that point. Enjoy any work assigned to you. Remember that your value as a person does not depend on the responsibilities you have in the organization. To Jehovah, your obedience is more important than any assignment (1 Sam. 15:22).

How did Zaira feel when she had to leave Bethel?

Let's look at the case of Zaira, a sister from the Middle East. She greatly valued serving at Bethel, where she spent more than 23 years. But then she was reassigned as his special pioneer. She says: “That change was a very hard blow for me. She thought that she was good for nothing and asked me what she had done wrong.” Sadly, some brothers and sisters in her congregation made her feel worse because they told her, “If you had done things better, the organization would not have let you go.” For some time, Zaira felt so down that she cried every night. But she says: “I never doubted the organization or the love of Jehovah.” What helped you maintain good judgment?

What did Zaira do to overcome negative feelings?

To overcome her negative feelings, Zaira read articles from our publications that talk about the situation she was going through. One that helped her a lot appears in The Watchtower of February 1, 2001, titled “You Can Face Discouragement.” This article discusses the example of Mark, the biblical writer, who probably felt as she did about the changes in her service to Jehovah. Zaira confesses: “Marcos' example was the best remedy for my discouragement.” She leaned on her friends, she did not isolate herself from her brothers or continue thinking about her sadness. She understood that Jehovah's spirit guided her organization and that the responsible brothers truly cared about her. But she also realized that for Jehovah's organization the most important thing is that the work he has entrusted to her be done.

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