DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday, October 8, 2024,  Blessed are you when people lie and say all kinds of bad things about you (Mat. 5:11).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Blessed are you when people lie and say all kinds of bad things about you (Mat. 5:11).

We must listen to Jehovah, not to our enemies. Job listened carefully when Jehovah spoke to him. To bring him to his senses, Jehovah said something like this: “I am aware of all that has happened to you. Do you think I cannot care for you?” With humility and deep gratitude for Jehovah’s goodness, Job replied: “I heard about you with my own ears, but now I see you with my own eyes.”—Job 42:5 When Job said these words, he was probably still sitting in the ashes, his body covered in sores. For in the midst of this situation, Jehovah confirmed to him that he was loved and assured him that he had Jehovah’s approval.—Job 42:7, 8 Today, people may insult us or treat us as if we were worthless. They may try to tarnish our personal reputation or that of the organization. The account of Job teaches us that Jehovah is confident that we can be loyal when we are going through trials. w22.06 24 §15, 16.

Why do we do well to notice the tactics Satan used with Job?

We do well to look at the tactics Satan used with Job, because the tactics he uses today are similar. Consider the charge he leveled not only against Job but against all human beings. He said: “A man will give all he has to save his life.”—Job 2:4, 5. Satan meant that our love for Jehovah is not sincere and that if our life is in danger, we will turn our backs on our God. He also claims that Jehovah does not love us and that he never appreciates what we do to please him. Satan does not deceive those of us who put our hope in him because we already know his tactics.

What can come to light when we go through some trial, and what example helps us understand this?

We should see trials as an opportunity to get to know ourselves better. Job realized through difficulties that he had some shortcomings that he needed to correct. For example, he saw that he needed to be more humble (Job 42:3). We too can discover many things about our personality when we go through a trial. That is what happened to Nicholas, who was imprisoned despite being very ill. He explains: “Going to prison is like having an X-ray: it allows you to see the qualities of a Christian.” When we identify our weak points, we can do something to improve.

What do we learn from the faithful men and women mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11?

Job is not the only servant of Jehovah who was courageous and strong in the face of hardship. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Hebrew Christians, he spoke of many other servants of God, describing them as “a great cloud of witnesses.” (Heb. 12:1) Although they endured severe trials, they all have an extraordinary record of loyalty to Jehovah. (Heb. 11:36–40) Did all their hard work and endurance serve a purpose? Of course it did. They did not see all of God’s promises fulfilled, but they did not give up on him. And because they were confident that they had Jehovah’s approval, they had no doubt that they would see those promises fulfilled. (Heb. 11:4, 5) Thinking about their example gives us strength to always put our hope in Jehovah.

What should we do no matter what happens? (Hebrews 11:6)

The world is going from bad to worse. (2 Tim. 3:13) And Satan continues to test God’s servants. Whatever may come in the future, let us continue to serve Jehovah wholeheartedly, confident that “we have put our hope in a living God.” (1 Tim. 4:10) Remember, the end of Job’s story shows that “Jehovah is very loving and merciful.” (James 5:11) Like Job, let us always be loyal to Jehovah, confident that he will reward “those who earnestly seek him.” (Read Hebrews 11:6.)

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