What does this week s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

Transcription

1 PSalms Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.) Ps 56:8 What does the expression collect my tears in your skin bottle mean? (w09 6/1 29 _1; w08 10/1 26 _3) *** w09 6/1 p. 29 Does Anyone Really Care? *** In the Bible book of Psalms, we find many heartwarming expressions by ancient Hebrew psalmists, such as King David, that describe Jehovah s loving care for his servants. At Psalm 56:8, we find King David pleading to God: Do put my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not in your book? As shown by this analogy, David knew that Jehovah was aware not only of his suffering but also of its emotional impact. Jehovah was aware of David s pain and remembered what David went through emotionally that caused his tears. Truly, our Creator watches over all those who endeavor to do his will, those whose heart is complete toward him. *** w08 10/1 p. 26 Tears in a Skin Bottle *** David s touching words about the skin bottle can also have meaning for us. How so? Well, the Bible explains that Satan controls this world and that he has great anger in our day. As a result, the earth is experiencing terrible woes. (Revelation 12:12) For that reason, there are many who, like David, are faced with emotional, mental, or physical suffering especially those who are trying to please God. Does that describe you? With courage, even weeping, such faithful people never stop trying to live a life of integrity. (Psalm 126:6) They can be assured that their heavenly Father sees not only the trials they face but also the emotional impact of those trials. He truly understands the pain afflicting his servants, and he compassionately remembers their tears and sufferings, figuratively storing them up in his skin bottle. Ps 59:1, 2 What does David s experience teach us about prayer? (w08 3/15 14 _13) *** w08 3/15 p. 14 par. 13 Jehovah Hears Our Cries for Help *** 13 Is it enough, then, for us just to take our problems to Jehovah in prayer? No. More is required. We need to act in harmony with our prayers. When King Saul sent men to David s home to put him to death, David prayed: Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; from those rising up against me may you protect me. Deliver me from the practicers of what is hurtful, and from bloodguilty men save me. (Ps. 59:1, 2) In addition to praying, David listened to his wife and took the necessary action to escape. (1 Sam. 19:11, 12) In a similar way, we can pray for practical wisdom to help us deal with and perhaps improve our distressing circumstances. Jas. 1:5.

2 What does this week s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah? *** w15 8/15 p. 13 par. 17 Meditate on Jehovah s Enduring Love *** If our trials become severe, we can be sure that God is aware of our suffering and will help us, for we are precious to him. Ps. 56:8. *** w15 10/1 p. 6 Prayer What It Can Do for You *** We can gain a measure of tranquillity by pouring out our concerns to our heavenly Father. In fact, he encourages us to do so. Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you, says Psalm 55:22. *** w15 10/15 p. 6 par. 10 Do You See God s Hand in Your Life? *** 10 We have ample reason to believe that Jehovah continues to help people. Time and again, we have heard experiences of how individuals prayed for spiritual help and then received it. (Ps. 53:2) *** w10 11/15 p. 19 Jehovah Listens to the Cry of the Lowly One *** The fact that these inspired sentiments are recorded in God s Word indicates that Jehovah understands how we feel. Such words are a guarantee that he listens to our pleadings. If we accept Jehovah s help, he himself will sustain us. Ps. 55:22. *** w08 5/1 p. 24 He Understands Our Pain *** Empathy attracts. When we are discouraged or depressed, we are drawn to a fellow human who can comprehend our circumstances and share our pain. How much more we are drawn to Jehovah, a compassionate God who feels our pain and understands the reason for our tears! Psalm 56:8. *** w02 3/15 p. 27 You Can Conquer Loneliness *** The psalmist sang: Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter. (Psalm 55:22) The word burden in the Hebrew text literally means lot, and it refers to the cares and anxieties that we might suffer because of our lot in life. Jehovah is more aware of these burdens than anyone else and can give us the strength to deal with them. *** w02 4/15 p. 25 Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion *** Jehovah feels personally the pain his people suffer. He told the Jews who had returned from Babylon: He that is touching you is touching my eyeball. (Zechariah 2:8) Keenly aware of God s empathy, Bible writer David said to him: Do put my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8) How comforting to know that Jehovah remembers as if they were written in a book the tears his faithful servants shed as they struggle to keep their integrity!

3 What points from this week s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry? *** w14 2/1 p. 11 Why Does God Allow the Strong to Oppress the Weak? *** Second, God provides solid hope for an end to oppression. The way he exposed, judged, and punished Ahab and Jezebel as well as many like them gives us confidence in his promises to punish all evildoers one day. (Psalm 52:1-5) *** w14 12/15 p. 12 par. 6 Do You Grasp the Meaning? *** First of all, we have to admit that we have no control over the spiritual growth of a Bible student. Modesty on our part will help us to avoid the temptation to pressure or force a student to get baptized. We do all we can to assist and support the person, but we humbly admit that ultimately the decision to make a dedication belongs to that person. Dedication is something that must spring from a willing heart motivated by love for God. Anything less would not be acceptable to Jehovah. Ps. 51:12; 54:6; 110:3. *** w13 6/1 p. 13 Should We Pray to Saints? *** God wants us to approach him directly in prayer even if we are burdened down by personal shortcomings. He does not assign others to hear our prayers. The Bible urges us: Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22) Rather than depending on the intercession of saints or anyone else, we would do well to develop a positive view of Jehovah God. *** w13 12/15 p. 12 par. 3 Will You Make Sacrifices for the Kingdom? *** 3 The need for active support of the Kingdom has never been greater. It is a joy to see that many are willingly making sacrifices for Jehovah. (Read Psalm 54:6.) Such a generous spirit brings us much joy as we await the coming of God s Kingdom. *** w12 2/15 p. 19 par. 4 Preserve the Positive Spirit of the Congregation *** 4 The psalmist David associated the steadfastness of our heart with our singing. My heart is steadfast, O God, he said, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody. (Ps. 57:7) The songs used at Christian meetings provide us a fine opportunity to sing and make melody to Jehovah with a steadfast heart. *** w11 9/1 p. 16 How Can You Draw Close to God? *** Our Creator can even hear silent prayers. (1 Samuel 1:12, 13) He invites us to pray on every occasion, such as at the beginning and the end of the day, at mealtimes, and when we face problems. Read Psalm 55:22; Matthew 15:36.

4 *** w11 11/15 p. 6 par. 2 Do Not Lean Upon Your Own Understanding *** 2 Whom do you lean upon when facing distressing situations, making important decisions, or resisting temptations? Do you rely solely on yourself, or do you throw your burden upon Jehovah? (Ps. 55:22) The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous ones, states the Bible, and his ears are toward their cry for help. (Ps. 34:15) How important it is, then, that we trust in Jehovah with all our heart and that we do not lean upon our own understanding! Prov. 3:5. *** w10 11/15 p. 16 par. 20 Young Ones What Will You Do With Your Life? *** 20 As you strive to reach your goals, including baptism, you may at times experience anxiety and doubts. When you do, throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. (Ps. 55:22) *** w09 11/15 p. 10 par. 19 Enrich Your Prayers Through Bible Study *** 19 Gratitude for your precious relationship with God may move you to pray from the heart with thoughts like these: I shall laud you among the peoples, O Jehovah; I shall make melody to you among the national groups. For your loving-kindness is great up to the heavens, and your trueness up to the skies. Do be exalted above the heavens, O God; let your glory be above all the earth. (Ps. 57:9-11) What heartwarming sentiments! Do you not agree that such touching words from the Psalms can affect and enrich your prayers? *** w09 12/15 p. 9 Busy and Joyful in God s Service *** The Scriptures command Christians to provide for the material needs of their families. (1 Tim. 5:8) But if secular work consumes too much time and energy, it can rob you of joy in God s service. Take the matter to Jehovah in prayer. (Ps. 55:22) *** w08 1/15 p. 11 par. 15 Pay Attention to Your Art of Teaching *** 15 Our students may not experience intervention by Jehovah in their lives as dramatically as Moses did. Nevertheless, as our students grow in faith and in appreciation for what they learn and as they begin to apply it, they will doubtless see the need to lean on Jehovah for courage, wisdom, and guidance. As they do so, they too will come to know Jehovah in the roles of a wise and trusted Counselor, Protector, and generous Provider of all their needs. Ps. 55:22; 63:7; Prov. 3:5, 6.

5 *** w08 9/15 pp par. 18 Maintain a Threefold Cord in Marriage *** The Bible contains many accounts of ones who remained faithful despite severe trials. For example, on one occasion, David poured out his heart to Jehovah, saying: Show me favor, O God, because mortal man... keeps oppressing me. (Ps. 56:1) Have you ever felt oppressed by mortal man? Whether the stress that you feel is coming from a distance or from someone close to you, remember: David found the strength to endure, and so can you. I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me, said David. Out of all my frights he delivered me. Ps. 34:4. *** w08 12/1 p. 16 David Why He Was Not Afraid *** DO YOU ever get afraid? Most of us do sometimes. When you are afraid, what can you do? You can turn to someone who is bigger and stronger than you. Perhaps your father or mother can help. We can learn a lot from David about where to turn for help. He sang to God: I, for my part, shall trust even in you.... In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. Psalm 56:3, 4. *** w07 5/15 p. 18 Your Plans Will Be Firmly Established *** For our plans to be firmly established, however, they must be in harmony with God s Word, and they must stem from good motives. Moreover, we should pray to Jehovah for help and support and conscientiously do our best to follow the Bible s advice. It is particularly important to throw our burden upon Jehovah when we are faced with trials or difficulties, for he will sustain us. Indeed, never will he allow the righteous one to totter. Psalm 55:22. *** w06 6/1 p. 11 pars. 2-5 Highlights From Book Two of Psalms *** 52:8. We can be like a luxuriant olive tree in God s house close to Jehovah and productive in his service by obeying him and by willingly accepting his discipline. Hebrews 12:5, 6. 55:4, 5, 12-14, The conspiracy of his own son Absalom and the betrayal of the trusted counselor Ahithophel caused David intense emotional pain. However, that did not diminish David s confidence in Jehovah. We should not allow emotional strain to weaken our trust in God. 55:22. How do we throw our burden upon Jehovah? We do this (1) by taking a matter of concern to him in prayer, (2) by turning to his Word and organization for guidance and support, and (3) by doing what we reasonably can to relieve the situation. Proverbs 3:5, 6; 11:14; 15:22; Philippians 4:6, 7. 56:8. Jehovah is aware not only of our situation but also of its emotional impact on us.