Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“I will help you” (IS. 41:10).
1, 2. a) Why can we say that we are never alone in our problems? b) What will we discuss in this article?
If we are going through very difficult problems, we may feel as if we are completely alone in a small boat in the middle of a storm at sea. But we are not alone, because our loving heavenly Father sees what we are suffering and has promised to be by our side. Jehovah lovingly assures each of his faithful servants: “I will help you.” (Is. 41:10).
2 In this article, we will discuss four ways Jehovah helps us: 1) He guides us, 2) He meets our needs, 3) He protects us, and 4) He comforts us. He has promised that no matter what difficulties we go through in this life, He will never forget us and never abandon us. So we are never alone.
JEHOVAH GUIDES US
3, 4. How does Jehovah guide us? (Psalm 48:14)
3 (Read Psalm 48:14.) Jehovah knows that we alone are unable to direct our steps in life, and so he offers us the guidance we need. How does he do this? One way is through the Bible. (Ps. 119:105) Through his inspired Word, he helps us make decisions and cultivate qualities that allow us to be happier and have the hope of living forever. For example, it teaches us to forgive and not hold a grudge, to be honest in everything and to love one another intensely from the heart. (Sal. 37:8; Heb. 13:18; 1 Ped. 1:22). Displaying these qualities makes us better parents, husbands, and friends.
4 In the Bible, Jehovah has also included stories of real people who had problems and feelings similar to ours. (1 Cor. 10:13; James 5:17) When we read them and apply the lessons we learn, we gain at least two benefits. First, we realize that we are not alone in our struggles; others have endured similar trials and endured them with Jehovah's help. (1 Pet. 5:9) And second, we learn how to cope with them. (Rom. 15:4)
5. Who does Jehovah use to guide us?
5 Another way Jehovah guides us is through our brothers. Circuit overseers visit congregations regularly and deliver talks that strengthen our faith and help us preserve our precious unity. (Gen. 15:40-16:5). The elders of the congregations also have a heartfelt interest in the welfare of each publisher. (1 Ped. 5:2, 3). Parents teach their children to love Jehovah, to make good decisions, and to have good spiritual habits (Prov. 22:6). And the older sisters help the younger ones by setting a good example and offering loving advice and encouragement. (Tito 2:3-5).
6. What should we do to benefit from Jehovah’s guidance?
6 Jehovah has done his part by giving us the guidance we need. What should we do to benefit from it and show our gratitude? Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” What will the result be? “He will make your paths straight.” In other words, it will help us avoid many problems and be happier. How grateful we are that Jehovah loves us so much and gives each of us the advice we need! (Ps. 32:8).
JEHOVAH COVERS OUR NEEDS
7. How does Jehovah help us according to Philippians 4:19?
7 (See Philippians 4:19). In addition to guiding us spiritually, Jehovah blesses our efforts to get the things we need, such as food, clothing, and a place to live. (Matt. 6:33; 2 Thess. 3:12) Although it is normal for us to worry about our physical needs, Jehovah tells us not to be anxious about these things (see study note 1 on Matthew 6:25). Why not? Because our Father has promised that he will never abandon his faithful servants. (Matt. 6:8; Heb. 13:5). We can be sure that he will keep his word and provide for our needs.
8. How did Jehovah help David?
8 Consider how Jehovah helped David as he fled from King Saul. During those difficult years, Jehovah gave him and his men everything they needed to survive. Looking back, David wrote: “I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen a righteous man forsaken, nor his children seeking bread.” (Ps. 37:25) Perhaps you too have seen Jehovah lovingly provide for your needs or those of your brothers and sisters throughout your life.
9. How does Jehovah provide for the needs of his people today when disasters strike? (See also the pictures.)
9 Jehovah also provides for the needs of his servants when disasters occur. For example, in the first century, Christians from various places sent supplies to the brothers in Jerusalem, who were going through a time of great famine. (Num. 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25, 26). Today, God's people remain just as generous. When disaster strikes, Jehovah lovingly moves his people to provide food, water, clothing, and medicine to those living in the affected areas. There are also brothers who are responsible for repairing damaged homes and Kingdom Halls. And preparations are quickly made to provide emotional and spiritual support to those who have lost their homes or loved ones.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of brothers and sisters in Malawi receiving material and spiritual aid after a natural disaster. 1. A major flood. 2. Brother Gage Fleegle speaking with brothers and sisters. 3. Some brothers unloading bags of food from a vehicle.
How does Jehovah comfort us when disasters occur? (See paragraph 9.)
10, 11. What does Boris's case teach you?
10 Jehovah is very generous, and he also provides for the needs of those who are not yet his servants. We imitate him and look for opportunities to do good to those who do not share our beliefs. (Gal. 6:10) This often leads to a good witness. Consider the case of Boris, a school principal living in Ukraine. Although he is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, he always treated his Witness students with kindness and respect. When war broke out, he decided to flee to a safer part of the country, and the brothers helped him. Some time later, he attended the Memorial. Thinking about all they did for him, Boris said: “Jehovah's Witnesses were very attentive to me and took care of me. I am very grateful to them.”
11 We can all imitate the mercy of our heavenly Father by helping those in need, even if they are not Witnesses. (Luc. 6:31, 36). We trust that the love we show them will motivate them to want to learn more about Jehovah and serve him together with us. (1 Ped. 2:12). But in any case we will feel good because giving to others makes us happy. (Hech. 20:35).
JEHOVAH PROTECTS US
12. What has Jehovah promised to do for his people as a whole? (Psalm 91:1, 2, 14)
12 (Read Psalm 91:1, 2, 14). Jehovah has promised to protect his people spiritually. He will never allow Satan to corrupt pure worship. (Juan 17:15). And when “the great tribulation” begins, we are fully convinced that Jehovah will fulfill his promise to protect his people, both spiritually and physically. (Apoc. 7:9, 14).
13. In what ways does Jehovah protect each of his servants?
13 And how does Jehovah protect each of his servants? On the one hand, he has given us the Bible to help us distinguish what is right from what is wrong. (Heb. 5:14). Applying biblical principles is like using a shield that protects us physically and spiritually. (Ps. 91:4). On the other hand, Jehovah also protects us through the congregation (Is. 32:1, 2). By surrounding ourselves with people who love Jehovah and obey him, we receive the encouragement and strength we need to reject evil influences. (Prov. 13:20).
14. (a) Why doesn't Jehovah always remove our trials? (b) What does Psalm 9:10 assure us? (See also footnote.)
14 In the past, there were times when Jehovah protected his servants physically, but he did not always do so. The Bible teaches that we can all suffer “some unexpected event” (Ecl. 9:11). Furthermore, both in Bible times and today, Jehovah has sometimes allowed his servants to suffer persecution or even die. Why? To prove that Satan is a liar. (Job 2:4-6; Matt. 23:34). Jehovah will not always remove our trials, but we can be sure that he will never abandon those who love him. (Ps. 9:10).
JEHOVAH COMFORT US
15. How does Jehovah comfort us through prayer, his Word, and our brothers and sisters? (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4)
15 (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.) We all experience moments of sadness, pain, or anxiety from time to time. Even now, we may be going through a situation that is distressing and makes us feel alone. Even if it seems like no one understands what we are suffering, Jehovah does. Not only that, but he also “comforts us in all our trials.” How does he do this? Through prayer, the Bible, and our brothers and sisters. When we pray to him, he responds by giving us "the peace of God, which is beyond human understanding." (Phil. 4:6, 7). When we read his inspired Word, we see how much he loves us, we learn from his wise counsel, and we feel comfort thanks to his hope. And when we are with our brothers and sisters at meetings, we receive their love and words of encouragement based on the Bible.
16. What does the case of Nathan and Priscilla teach you?
16 To see how Jehovah comforts and encourages us through his Word, consider Nathan and Priscilla, who live in the United States. A few years ago, they decided to move to another location to help with the ministry. Nathan says: “We trusted that Jehovah would bless us.” However, when they arrived at their new congregation, they encountered unexpected health and financial problems. Eventually, they had to return to their hometown, but there they continued to struggle financially. He acknowledges: “I wondered why God hadn’t blessed us the way we had hoped. I even began to wonder if I had done something wrong.” But over time, the two realized that God had not abandoned them. Nathan explains: “In the midst of those difficulties, reading the Bible was like listening to a friend offering encouragement and wise counsel. We learned not to think so much about the problem, but rather about how Jehovah was helping us endure it. And that has helped us be better prepared to face the tests of faith that come.”
17. How did a sister named Helga receive comfort? (See also the pictures.)
17 As we have seen, our brothers and sisters can also give us great comfort. Consider the example of Helga, who lives in Hungary. For decades, she suffered so many problems that she felt depressed and lacking self-esteem. But now, looking back on those years, she realizes that Jehovah comforted her through the congregation. She writes: “Jehovah always helped me when I saw that I had no more strength and couldn't handle everything: work, caring for my sick son, and other problems. During these past 30 years, I can say that Jehovah has always kept his promise to comfort me. He has not failed me even one day.” "I am often strengthened by the kind, loving, and thoughtful words of my siblings. How many times have I received a message, a card, or a compliment just when I needed it most!"
ILLUSTRATION
Picture series: An older brother receives comfort. 1. He looks at the drawings some children have made for him. 2. A brother sends him a text message. 3. A couple brings him a bag of food and a pizza. 4. A brother calls him on the phone. 5. A girl draws him a picture of a lion in Paradise.
How can Jehovah use you to comfort others? (See paragraph 17.)
18. How can we comfort others?
18 We have the privilege of imitating our God by comforting others. How can we do this? Listening to them patiently, giving them words of encouragement, and helping them in practical ways (Prov. 3:27). And we do this not only with our brothers, but with all people who suffer, even those who do not yet serve Jehovah. If they are going through a difficult time, an illness, or a loss, we visit them, listen to them, and encourage them with the Bible. By imitating the “God of all comfort,” we can not only help our brothers endure their trials, but we may also be able to make some who do not serve Jehovah want to know him. (Matt. 5:16).
JEHOVAH WILL ALWAYS BE BY OUR SIDE
19. What does Jehovah do for us, and how can we imitate him?
19 Jehovah cares deeply for all of us who love him and does not abandon us when we go through difficult times. He loves us and cares for us just as a good father does for his child. He guides us, meets our needs, protects us, and comforts us. And we can imitate him by supporting and encouraging those who are also going through trials. No matter what life throws at us, we can trust that Jehovah will always be by our side because he has promised: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (Isa. 41:10) What peace of mind it is to know that with Jehovah, we are never alone!
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How does Jehovah guide us?
Jehovah knows that we alone are unable to direct our steps in life, and that's why he offers us the guidance we need. How does he do this? One way is through the Bible. Through his inspired Word, he helps us make decisions and cultivate qualities that allow us to be happier and have the hope of living forever.
How does it cover our needs?
Although it's normal for us to worry about our physical needs, Jehovah tells us not to worry about these things, because our Father has promised never to abandon his faithful servants. We can be confident that he will keep his word and provide for our needs.
How does it protect and comfort us?
Protects us:On the one hand, he has given us the Bible to help us distinguish between right and wrong. Applying biblical principles is like using a shield that protects us physically and spiritually. On the other hand, Jehovah also protects us through the congregation.
It consoles us:When we pray to him, he responds by giving us “the peace of God, which is beyond human understanding.” When we read his inspired Word, we see how much he loves us, learn from his wise counsel, and find comfort in his hope. And when we are with our fellow believers in church, we receive his love and words of encouragement based on the Bible.
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