DAILY TEXT, Today Monday, February 19, 2024, Put your hope in Jehovah (Ps. 27:14).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Monday February 19, 2024

Put your hope in Jehovah (Ps. 27:14).

Jehovah has given us the precious hope of eternal life. Some of his servants hope to live forever in heaven as immortal spiritual beings (1 Cor. 15:50, 53). But most hope to live forever on Earth and enjoy happiness and perfect health. (Rev. 21:3, 4) We all heartily value our hope, whether it is to live forever in heaven or on Earth. We are sure that our hope will come true because it comes from Jehovah (Rom. 15:13). We know his promises and we know that he always keeps them (Num. 23:19). We are convinced that Jehovah is willing and able to carry out everything he says he will do. Our heavenly Father loves us and wants us to trust him. If our hope in Jehovah is strong, we will be able to endure trials and look to the future with courage and joy. w22.10 24 paras. 1-3.

OUR HOPE IS LIKE AN ANCHOR

Why is hope like an anchor? (Hebrews 6:19).

In his Letter to the Hebrews, the apostle Paul compared our hope to an anchor (read Hebrews 6:19). He often made sea voyages, so he knew that anchors prevent the ship from drifting. Once, while he was traveling on a ship, a violent storm arose. On that occasion, he saw that the sailors dropped anchors into the water so that the ship would not crash against the rocks (Acts 27:29, 39-41). Just as an anchor stabilizes a ship, our hope stabilizes us so that we do not stray from Jehovah when we experience problems that are like storms. Having firm hope that better times will soon come helps us weather the storms of life. Let us remember that Jesus said we would be persecuted (John 15:20). So meditating on the reward that Jehovah has promised us helps us stay on track in our Christian life.

How did Jesus sustain hope when he came face to face with death?

Let's see how hope helped Jesus remain faithful even when he knew that a cruel death awaited him. On the day of Pentecost in the year 33, the apostle Peter quoted a prophecy from the Psalms that beautifully describes the calm and confidence that Jesus had: “I will live in hope, because you will not leave me in the Grave, nor will you allow May your loyal servant suffer corruption. […] You will fill me with great joy in your presence” (Acts 2:25-28; Ps. 16:8-11). Although Jesus knew that he would die, he had the firm hope that God would resurrect him and that he would have the joy of returning to heaven with his Father (Heb. 12: 2, 3).

What did a brother say about hope?

Thanks to Christian hope, many brothers have managed to endure the trials. Let's look at the example of Leonard Chinn, a faithful brother who lived in England. During World War I, he was put in jail because he refused to enlist in the army. He was held incommunicado for two months and then subjected to forced labor. Some time later, he wrote: “That experience taught me that, to endure, hope is very important. Both the example of Jesus, the apostles and the prophets and the valuable promises of the Bible give us great hope for the future and strength to endure.” Hope was like an anchor for Leonard, and it can be for us too.

How is our hope strengthened by going through trials? (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:12).

Our hope is strengthened when we endure trials and see that Jehovah helps us and approves us. (Read Romans 5:3-5; James 1:12.) So now our hope is stronger than when we knew the truth. Satan wants difficulties to overwhelm us, but with Jehovah's help we can face each one of them.

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