The Watchtower Study, «Article 33», Week of October 10 to 16, 2022, Jehovah watches over his servants, Answers.

The Watchtower Study, “Article 33”, 10-16 October 2022, Jehovah watches over his servants, Answers.

 

“The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him” (PSA. 33:18).

1. Why did Jesus ask Jehovah to protect his followers?

Jesus asked Jehovah to protect his followers because he knew that Satan would cruelly attack them like never before. That is why they would need Jehovah's help, since they could not do it alone.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

And something interesting that we can see in the text of John 17:15 is that Jesus asked Jehovah not to take us out of the world, but to "protect" his servants from the evil one, Today the evil one continues to do a lot of damage to the Jehovah's people. From this text we can draw a lesson from all of us who are ahead in the congregation, because we must first worry about the problems or difficulties that Jehovah's sheep are going through, since Jesus put the interests of others before his own. himself, and that is something that all of us and those of us who are taking the lead in Jehovah’s organization can imitate.

In the paragraph it was mentioned that Satan would attack his disciples with more cruelty than ever, and that is what is happening now, because we see that lately many of our brothers are undergoing persecution in various countries and that is something that Jesus knew that was going to happen, that is why Jesus asks Jehovah to help his disciples, from this text we can learn that if we see that our brothers are going through persecution or difficult situations we should also ask Jehovah in prayer to help them face this difficult test, since Jehovah has enough power to help them.

2. According to Psalm 33:18-20, why shouldn't problems frighten us?

It is true that problems can sometimes scare us, but Psalm 33:18-20 guarantees us that Jehovah is watching over us, which means that he sees everything that is happening and is always ready to help us in everything. moment. That is why we must be calm and trust that Jehovah will help us no matter how difficult our problem may seem.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In psalms 33: 20 compares Jehovah as a shield and as we all know a shield protects us, in the same way Jehovah protects us if, as the text says, we fear Jehovah and hope in his loyal love, If we do Jehovah will be our shield in times of trouble.

And what the paragraph mentions is very true: problems steal our strength and can even test our loyalty. That is why it is very important to put Jehovah as a shield, that way we can be strong in a spiritual sense and remain loyal trusting that Jehovah's eyes are on those who fear him, as mentioned in Psalms 33:18.

WHEN WE FEEL ALONE

3. In what situations might we feel alone?

We have no doubt that we are part of a great spiritual family, but in some cases we can feel alone. For example, some young people feel alone when they have to face situations in which they have to explain their beliefs. Some may feel sad due to struggles with negative feelings, and in other cases we may believe that no one cares about us, whatever our case, loneliness may make us feel helpless and distressed.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Analyzing this study, I identified that we all fight against negative consents, we become so discouraged that we can believe that nobody cares about us. As we have analyzed we are not alone in Psalm 33:20, Jehovah is our help and our shield.

There are times that only Jehovah knows how we feel because he understands our feelings because he knows how we think how we feel in each situation what are the reasons for our feelings sometimes because no matter how much we want to sometimes explain the situation to others they will not understand it as Jehovah because they do not know us as Jehovah. 

4. Why did the prophet Elijah say “I am the only one left”?

Sometimes problems can make us think in a not so accurate way and that is what happened to the prophet Elijah. Possibly he believed that he was the only prophet, because perhaps he thought that all the prophets that Obadiah had saved had been killed or perhaps he felt alone because no one took Jehovah's side after what happened with the prophets of Baal, and another possible The reason is that maybe he thought that no one knew how dangerous his situation was because no one cared what he was going through. Whatever the case, what we do know is that Jehovah understood Elijah and knew perfectly well how to help him.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We can imagine how the prophet Elijah must have felt, since he was fleeing for his life for more than 40 days because Jezebel had sworn to kill him, so he mistakenly thought he was the only prophet left. What can we say? sometimes we go through very difficult situations that can cloud our minds and we can have a wrong opinion on some matter, that is why it is very interesting that at the end of the paragraph it mentions, whatever the case we are going through, Jehovah understands our problems and understands how we feel and knows very well how to help us.

And although the Bible does not give us all the details, what we do know is that Jehovah did understand how Elijah felt that he felt alone and knew how to help him, he knew perfectly well, in our case it is the same Jehovah knows how we feel and you know what it is way to help us.

5. What did Jehovah do to assure Elijah that he was not alone?

Every human being by nature needs to be listened to and that is what happened to Elijah, that is why Jehovah asked him twice what he was doing, and both times Jehovah listened very carefully to everything Elijah told him, after Listening carefully, he responded by showing him that he was there and that a powerful God is. Without a doubt, Elijah must have felt very relieved after unburdening himself to Jehovah and hearing an answer.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Also, if we read the passage from kings If Jehovah had not sent an angel to Elijah to feed him, he had not reached the cave, it was clear that he was watching him at all times and when he saw him calmer was when Jehovah spoke with him and told him he gave all the help and all the missions that we see in kings.

Another thing he did was give him some tasks, some important missions, in that way Elias felt like a very useless person because he would see that Jehovah was trusting him and that without a doubt he was someone important to Jehovah.

In this passage we learn a good lesson and it is that despite all the problems or all the circumstances that we go through in life we ​​know that Jehovah will always be there to lend us a hand to help us and he understands us he understands us and He knows perhaps because of the circumstances that we are going through and he will not forget us, he will always be there helping us, that is why he is an example for us and an encouragement also for us to be able to move forward. 

6. What can we say to Jehovah when we feel lonely? (Psalm 62:8).

What we can do is vent to Jehovah, just as Elijah did we can tell him what worries us and how we feel, we can also ask him to help us see what we have to do. One of the ways is if we are young we can ask Jehovah to help us talk to a mature Christian and help that person understand how we feel.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, as the psalm says, we can pour out our hearts before Jehovah, we can tell him everything, what we feel, the feelings, but also not only leave it there, but ask Jehovah to help us overcome them, there are practical ways how we can do it.

It is mentioned in the paragraph that if we are young and it scares us to have to talk about Jehovah at school Luke 21:15 tells us that we can ask Jehovah for words and wisdom to speak like that, then if we feel alone let's get rid of Jehovah but always keeping in mind that we can ask him for the courage and wisdom we need to face it.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. Elijah prays with all his might inside a cave. 2. A brother prays with all his might in his bedroom.

When we feel alone, how can we find comfort in remembering what Jehovah did for Elijah? (See paragraphs 5 and 6).

7. What do you learn from Mauricio's example?

From this experience I learn that being busy in the service of Jehovah helps us a lot to fight against loneliness, in the paragraph we can see an example of what can make us feel alone. For example, when the brother saw that his friends were leaving Jehovah one by one, he felt feelings of loneliness and insecurity, since he thought that he was not going to be able to fulfill the dedication that he had made to Jehovah. And we can also feel that way and this is so, because we do not have control of the decisions of others, but if we have control of what we can do, that is why by preaching and being close to our brothers we can overcome this feeling. negative.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, if we are busier serving Jehovah, this will help us fight against loneliness, which is what happened to Mauricio when he felt lonely because one of his friends left Jehovah, he says that he focused on preaching and that helped him not to have so many negative feelings because being with other brothers also helped him feel happy and that made him not feel so alone. He also says that he made more effort to work more fully in the congregation and for prepare better and in this way, he came to feel more affection both from Jehovah and from the brothers.

And the example teaches us not to focus on ourselves, it is normal that we can go through these feelings but as has already been mentioned then concentrate on what we can do and those good things those acts what we do then it will be that these feelings will pass . 

ILLUSTRATION

Well, I really like the image because during the pandemic there were many people who had feelings of loneliness, sadness, boredom and yet, even though we couldn't see each other in person, we made an effort to go to meetings to preach with the brothers to spend time with them even outside of spiritual activities having a coffee and although we spent a long time like this we always felt united to Jehovah and united to them.

The brother in the first image happily preaches by letter with other brothers and sisters who are connected with him by videoconference.

Do we strive to spend more time preaching with other brothers? (See paragraph 7).

WHEN DIFFICULT TRIALS ANGUISH US

8. How might we feel when we go through difficult trials?

It could be an unexpected financial problem, a terrible medical diagnosis, or the death of a loved one. At such times we may feel anxious and overwhelmed, especially if it seems to us that the problems are coming to us one after another or even several at once. But let us remember that Jehovah is watching over us and that with his help we can face any trial that comes our way.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

And many times they are problems that appear suddenly in our lives that are out of our control, such as health issues, an economic setback or the loss of a loved one, these are things that distress us a lot and that sometimes appear as suddenly commented on in our lives.

Surely we feel very distressed, even suffocated, especially when we have to go through several problems at the same time and even more so now, as Second Timothy 3:1 says, we are living in the last days, but it is in such difficult times that we cannot forget that Jehovah is aware of us and that with your help we will be able to face any test that comes our way.

9. What were some of the tests that Job faced?

He learned that he had violently lost all his cattle, his servants and, what is worse, his beloved children. Shortly after, when he was still assimilating his immense misfortune, he was attacked by a very painful disease that left him unrecognizable. His situation was so bitter that he even said: "I feel disgusted with my life, I don't want to continue living."

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

In a single day he found out that he had violently lost all his cattle which provided his livelihood he also lost all his servants and what is worse his 10 children that same day, we can imagine how Job felt without However, when he was still trying to assimilate what had happened to him, he contracted a very painful illness and felt so bad that, as Job 7:16 says, he came to wish he did not continue living.

10. What did Jehovah do to help Job endure his trials? (See cover drawing.)

Jehovah sent Elihu to encourage and comfort Job. This faithful young man reminded him that God always rewards those who serve him with endurance. But Jehovah also wanted Elihu to give him some advice. Lovingly, Elihu helped Job to see the bigger picture, reminding him that human beings are very small compared to Jehovah, the Creator of the universe. Jehovah also gave Job a task: to pray for his three friends who had sinned.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is a nice reminder that Jehovah sends faithful servants to help us not only to comfort us or help us see the big picture but also to advise us and Jehovah helps us improve our attitude as he did with Job he can also do with us.

And then also by entrusting him to pray for them in that way he would not focus so much on his problem and on his pain but would focus on the problem of those 3 companions and then in that way he would benefit from the fact that he had prayed for it and that prayer might help you.

ILLUSTRATION

And in the photograph that we can see there the creation behind, Job 40:15 speaks of the hippopotamus, and we can see in the drawing those impressive jaws but Jehovah tells him he eats grass just like the bull what is he telling him that I have the strength and power to create something so imposing but it's also weak because it eats grass just like the bull so if I have the strength to create him, I don't have the strength to help you.

Job reflects on some impressive animals that Jehovah has created, such as the hippopotamus, the stork, the ostrich, the crocodile, the eagle, the horse, and the wild bull. A storm is hitting the place. Near Job sit Elihu and the three false friends.

Jehovah tells Job how well he cares for the beings he has created. This confirms that he cares for his servants with affection. (See paragraph 10).

11. How does the Bible comfort us when we go through trials?

He speaks to us through his Word, the Bible, comforting us by giving us hope for the future. Jehovah tells us that if we trust in him, we can endure any trial and even be happy when we suffer.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In particular, I am very consoled by the word of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans when he said that he was convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor government nor powers nor height nor depth nothing could separate us from the love of God and that is how it is These words greatly strengthened our faith and determination that Jehovah will never abandon us because Jehovah's love is a loyal love.

First Corinthians 10:13 God assures us that we are not going to pass tests that other people have not passed, that is, it is not common, but of course he also understands that we are not all equally strong, that is why the same verse from First Corinthians 10 says: 13 that will give us the way out so that we can endure it and that is a consolation because no matter what tests we go through, Jehovah will be ready for when we can't anymore he will take action.

And James 1:12 reminds us that if we are faithful in those tests and endure we will have the approval of Jehovah and what better thing than that. 

12. What must we do to make the most of the help that Jehovah gives us through his Word?

Jehovah expects us to be in the habit of studying the Bible and to reflect on what we read. If we put into practice what we learn, our faith and our friendship with him will grow stronger. And that will give us strength to endure.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, we have to prepare ourselves and study the Bible very well and trust everything that Jehovah tells us through it, so if we do this and put it into practice our faith and our friendship with him will be stronger.

And I really like how you mention it in the paragraph you talk about having the habit of doing this, we have 2 Corinthians 4 this treasure in clay pots and we want to value it so much that we have a spiritual routine, a habit of studying the Bible and reflecting on what we read and that way we will be able to put it into practice and follow the advice.

13. How does the spiritual food we receive through “the faithful and wise slave” help us to endure?

He gives us so many articles, videos, and songs that help us have strong faith and be spiritually vigilant. We have to make the most of all these spiritual gifts that come at the right time.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

With the support of Jehovah, the faithful and prudent slave says that he gives us many articles, videos, songs that help us to have a strong faith and to be vigilant in a spiritual sense, for our part, what we have to do is make the most of all these gifts that we receive. they arrive at the due time as Mat 24:45 says that the faithful and prudent slave feeds us spiritually at the due time.

That is why we must consume the spiritual food that Jehovah gives us through his organization, not leave it aside knowing that we have so much and that many times we take it for granted, but many times it has happened to us that when we have read an article we have said this Jehovah has written for us, but of course we must read it.

14. How does Jehovah use our brothers to support us when we experience difficulties? (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

Jehovah has taught his servants to love and comfort one another in times of distress. Our brothers and sisters are like Elihu, they want to help us be faithful when we go through difficulties.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The apostle Paul here commends the Christians of Thessalonica for being attentive to the needs of the brothers in Macedonia and sometimes it happens that the organization makes us attentive to complicated situations of our brothers in other parts of the world and we want to collaborate with our participation or with our contributions, but we also want to be attentive to local needs, which is much more within the reach of all of us.

In addition, at the beginning of the paragraph it says that Jehovah teaches all his servants to love us and comfort him, that is, we have to be aware of when our brothers also need that help, the experience of the sister, the congregation encouraged her, but they not only stayed there to encourage her, but They did their part, they helped her go to the meetings to preach, they made calls to her, meaning that we are also required to be attentive to our brothers and to move us to act and do these things for them.

ILLUSTRATION

A mother and her little daughter visit an older couple and bring them a card that the girl has made for them. The brother uses an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

What can we do to help the brothers in the congregation? (See paragraph 14).

WE THANK JEHOVAH FOR CARING FOR US

15. Why are we convinced that we can face difficulties?

We are convinced that we can face difficulties because Jehovah gives us in abundance everything we need to endure: prayer, the Bible, abundant spiritual food and a brotherhood that treats us with love.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

He is always aware of us, always listens to us when we ask him to help us and to give us his support he also gives us everything we need to endure such as prayer, the Bible, spiritual food and a sister who treats us with much love.

Isaiah 43:2 Jehovah assures us that if we cross waters he will be with us if we cross rivers he will not cover us if we go through fire we will not be burned, so whatever the problem we face Jehovah assures us that nothing bad will happen to us Because he will always be with us.

Because many times when we have problems and we are stuck there we feel that no one has problems as strong as us that we are the only ones and we feel alone, but here very important is what this beautiful paragraph says in the book of Isaiah 43:2 says that no we are alone that Jehovah is ready and willing to help us to hear our prayer and that we go to him and he is going to help us like a loving father, that is a very great blessing that we have.

16. What must we do so that Jehovah continues to care for us?

We must continue to make the most of all the help that he gives us, if we do so Jehovah will continue to take care of us, since we also have to do our part and we show it by always obeying everything that he considers to be right, since if we do he will be watching us now and in the future that awaits us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Well, something is required of us, we cannot expect Jehovah to help us if we do not pay attention to what pleases him and the text of First Peter 3:12 is quoted where it says that the eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous and their Ears listen to his pleas, but nevertheless he is against those who do bad things, that is, if we want Jehovah's help, we have to be on Jehovah's side and we have to comply with his will, otherwise we cannot expect him to help us.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How does Jehovah help us when we feel lonely?

In paragraph number 5, we see how Jehovah helped Elijah, for example, he encouraged him to express himself on two occasions and Jehovah listened carefully to everything Elijah told him and then answered him, showing him that he was there and also that he is a very powerful God. In the same way we currently have a way to communicate with him which is through prayer and that way he can see how we feel and like Elijah he listens to us and answers our prayers.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

We have seen that he does not listen and he speaks to us through the Bible also through the brothers, that is, what we have to do is relieve ourselves by praying to him so that he can help us. 

How does Jehovah help us when difficult trials distress us?

Jehovah used Elihu to encourage Job, that is why in the text of Job 37:14, we see that he helped him see the full picture of the problem, because he reminded him that human beings are very small compared to Jehovah the creator of the whole universe. In our times Jehovah is not going to tell us what we have to do directly, but he uses the Bible to encourage us, he comforts us by giving us hope for the future, remembering our hope encourages us to follow the path that leads to life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

For example Jehovah gives us the congregation that can help us in exciting ways but also in physical ways as well.

And also the faithful and wise slave gives us videos and spiritual articles. 

Why are we grateful that Jehovah cares for us lovingly?

We are thankful that he gives us by the hand everything we need to endure, for example prayer, the Bible, abundant spiritual food and also a brotherhood that treats us with much love.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Because Jehovah gives us what we need to endure, we have seen that the Bible gives us prayer, abundant current food, and also a great brotherhood.