DAILY TEXT, Today Thursday October 24, 2024,  Be cautious as serpents, but also innocent as doves (Mat. 10:16).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Be cautious as serpents, but also harmless as doves (Mat. 10:16).

Preaching and teaching the truth in the face of opposition brings us joy and peace. In the first century, when the Jewish authorities ordered the apostles to stop preaching, they were faithful and obeyed God. They kept preaching, and they were happy. (Acts 5:27-29, 41, 42) Of course, when our work is restricted, we must preach with caution. If we do our best, we will feel the peace that comes from making Jehovah happy and bringing a life-saving message to others. Let us be assured that even in the most difficult times we can feel peace. At such times, we should keep in mind that the peace we need is the peace that only Jehovah can give us. Let us trust in him when we face outbreaks, emergencies, or persecution. Let us hold fast to his organization and think of the wonderful future he promises us. If we do, “the God of peace” will be with us.—Phil. 4:9. w22.12 21 §21 17, 18.

What do many displaced Christians do to maintain happiness and peace?

Because of catastrophes, wars or social conflicts, many brothers are displaced. They do everything possible to adapt to their new situation and to immediately resume theocratic activities. They continue to “declare the good news of the word,” just as the first Christians did when they were scattered because of persecution (Acts 8:4). Preaching helps them to think about the Kingdom, not about their problems. In this way they maintain happiness and peace.

Why can persecution rob us of peace?

Persecution can take away many things that normally help us feel peace and happiness, such as being able to assemble freely, preach without restrictions, and go about our daily activities without fear of arrest by the authorities. When these freedoms are taken away, we may feel anxious about what will happen next. It’s normal to feel this way. But we must be careful not to let persecution cause us to lose our faith, just as Jesus warned his disciples (John 16:1, 2). So what can we do to maintain peace when we are persecuted?

Why should we not fear persecution? (John 15:20; 16:33)

God’s Word tells us: “All who desire to live a life of devotion to God in union with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12) A brother named Andrei found this difficult to accept when our work was banned in the country where he lives. He thought, “There are too many Witnesses here; it is impossible for all of us to be arrested.” But this did not reassure him. On the contrary, he was always overwhelmed. Other brothers, on the other hand, left matters in Jehovah’s hands and did not think that they would ever be arrested. They knew that this was a possibility, and they did not feel as distressed as Andrei did. So he decided to follow their example and trust completely in God. He soon felt at peace, and now he is happy despite so many problems. We can feel this way too. It is true that Jesus told us that we would be persecuted, but he also assured us that we can be loyal. (Read John 15:20; 16:33.)

What instructions should we obey when we are being chased?

When our work is prohibited or severely restricted, the branch office or elders may give us instructions to protect ourselves, to continue receiving spiritual nourishment, and to continue preaching as much as possible. In such cases, let us be obedient, even if we do not fully understand why we are given these instructions (James 3:17). And never give information about our brothers or congregation activities to those who do not have a right to know (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

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