DAILY TEXT, Today Sunday October 20, 2024,  The house of Israel will refuse to listen to you (Ezek. 3:7).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Monday, October 21, 2024

O Jehovah, how long must I cry for help before You hear? Why do You tolerate oppression? (Hab. 1:2, 3)

The prophet Habakkuk went through many difficulties. At one point, it seems, he doubted whether Jehovah cared about him. So he told Jehovah everything he felt. Jehovah answered this faithful man’s sincere prayer. (Hab. 2:2, 3) After reflecting on how Jehovah had saved his people, Habakkuk’s joy returned. He became convinced that Jehovah did care about him and would help him endure any trial. (Hab. 3:17-19) What is the lesson? When you are in trouble, pray to Jehovah, tell him how you feel, and lean on him. You can be sure that Jehovah will give you the strength to endure. And when you see how Jehovah supports you, your faith will grow stronger. If you keep up your spiritual activities, neither problems nor doubts will keep you from Jehovah. (1 Tim. 6:6-8) w22.11 15 §6, 7.

WHEN RESPONSIBLE BROTHERS ARE MISTREATTED

What could happen to siblings with responsibilities in the organization?

Through the media and social media, our enemies spread lies or inaccurate information about brothers with responsibilities in Jehovah’s organization. (Ps. 31:13) Some brothers have been arrested and accused of being criminals. Something similar happened in the first century. The apostle Paul was unjustly accused and arrested. What did the Christians of that time do?

How did some Christians react when the apostle Paul was arrested?

When the apostle Paul was arrested in Rome, some Christians deserted him (2 Tim. 1:8, 15). Were they ashamed that Paul was considered a criminal? (2 Tim. 2:8, 9) Or were they afraid that they, too, would be persecuted? Either way, Paul must have felt terrible. He had endured so much and even risked his life for them (Acts 20:18–21; 2 Cor. 1:8). May we never be like these Christians who deserted Paul when he needed support. What should we remember when responsible brothers are persecuted?

What should we remember when responsible brothers are persecuted, and why?

Remember why we are persecuted and who is behind it. At 2 Timothy 3:12 we read: “All who desire to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” So it should not surprise us that responsible brothers and sisters are targets of Satan’s attacks. His goal is to cause them to lose their loyalty to Jehovah and to cause us to become cowed. —1 Pet. 5:8.

What do we learn from the example of Onesiphorus? (2 Timothy 1:16-18)

Continue to loyally support responsible brothers (read 2 Timothy 1:16–18). In the first century, there was one Christian who did right when Paul was imprisoned. His name was Onesiphorus. Paul said of him, “I was not ashamed of my chains.” On the contrary, Onesiphorus did everything he could to find Paul, and when he found him, he gave him the help he needed. He risked his life for him! What’s the lesson? Don’t let fear of others keep you from supporting brothers who are enduring persecution. Do everything you can to defend and help them (Prov. 17:17). They need our love and support.

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