DAILY TEXT, Today's Friday, April 26, 2024,  We have to go through many difficulties to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Friday April 26, 2024

We have to go through many difficulties to enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

You and your family can prepare now for the chase. Don't think about all the bad things that could happen. Rather, strengthen your friendship with Jehovah and help your children to do the same. If at any time you feel distressed, vent to Jehovah.​—Ps. 62:7, 8. Talk as a family about all the reasons we have to trust him. Just as it is good to prepare children for an emergency situation, it is also good to prepare them for persecution and teach them to trust in Jehovah. This way they will be brave and stay calm. God's peace makes us feel secure (Phil. 4:6, 7). Through it, Jehovah calms us in the face of epidemic outbreaks, emergencies, or persecution. He uses the elders, who carefully care for the sheep, and gives us all the honor of helping each other. This peace prepares us to face greater trials in the future, including the “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21). w22.12 27 paras. 17, 18.

FACING THE PERSECUTION

What difficulties do brothers face in places where our work is prohibited?

The persecution complicates life even more for the brothers. Those who live where our work is prohibited continue to have financial problems, get sick, and lose loved ones. Due to restrictions, the elderly may not have freedom of movement or may not be able to talk calmly with those who need encouragement. That was what happened to Andréi, mentioned in the previous article. A sister in his preaching group was experiencing financial difficulties and then had a car accident. She underwent several operations and could not work. Despite the restrictions of the authorities and the pandemic, her brothers did everything they could to help her, and Jehovah was very aware of the situation.

How do elders show that they trust in Jehovah?

What the elderly can do. Andrei prayed to Jehovah and did what was within his power. And how did Jehovah respond? He used other brothers who had greater freedom of movement to do what they could. Some took their sister to doctor's appointments and others gave her financial help. Jehovah blessed her unity and all these courageous actions (Heb. 13:16). Elders, when our work is restricted, delegate (Jer. 36:5, 6). But above all, lean on Jehovah. He will help them so that they can attend to the needs of the brothers.

What should we do to stay united in times of persecution?

What the congregation can do. In times of persecution, we may only be able to meet in small groups. So it is more important than ever to be at peace with others. Let's fight Satan, not each other. Let us forgive the brothers' mistakes and resolve any disagreements immediately (Prov. 19:11; Ephes. 4:26). Let us take the initiative to support each other (Titus 3:14). The help that Andrei's preaching group gave to the sister had a positive effect on everyone. They became closer, like a family (Ps. 133:1).

According to Colossians 4:3, 18, what can we do for brothers who are being persecuted?

Thousands and thousands of our brothers serve Jehovah despite the restrictions of the authorities. Some are imprisoned for their beliefs. Let us pray for them, for their families, and for those who risk their own freedom to give them spiritual, physical, and legal help (read Colossians 4:3, 18).c Let us never underestimate the power of our prayers (2 Thes. 3:1, 2 ; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2).

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