Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Make your slaves continue to speak your word with great courage (Acts 4:29).
Just before returning to heaven, Jesus reminded his disciples that they were to bear witness to him “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:46-48). Shortly thereafter, Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and brought them before the Sanhedrin. There they ordered them to stop preaching and threatened them (Acts 4:18, 21). Peter and John said, "Whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God, judge for yourselves. But we cannot help but speak of the things we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19, 20). When they were released, the two apostles met with other disciples. Together they prayed to Jehovah to help them continue doing his will. And Jehovah answered this heartfelt prayer (Acts 4:31). w23.05 5 paras. 11, 12.
According to Acts 4:29, 31, what did the disciples do?
In response to the threats, Peter and John said, "Whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God, judge for yourselves. But we cannot help but speak of the things we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19, 20). When the Jewish religious leaders released them, the two apostles reunited with other disciples. Together they prayed to Jehovah to help them continue doing his will. They said, “Make your slaves continue to speak your word with great courage.” And Jehovah answered this heartfelt prayer (read Acts 4:29, 31).
What do we learn from Jin-hyuk's example?
We can follow the example of those disciples and continue preaching even when the authorities forbid us to do so. That's what Jin-hyuk, a brother who was in jail for being neutral, did. There he was assigned to care for some prisoners who were in isolation cells. He could only go to them to find out what things they needed. And he was forbidden to talk to them about the Bible. But he asked Jehovah for courage and tact so that he could take advantage of any opportunity that presented itself (Acts 5:29). He says: "Jehovah answered my prayers, and gave me the courage and wisdom I needed. I was able to start many five-minute Bible classes at the cell doors. And at night I wrote letters to the prisoners to deliver them the next day." Like Jin-hyuk, we have complete confidence that Jehovah will help us fulfill our ministry and we can ask him for courage and wisdom.
What will help you deal with problems? (Psalm 37:3, 5).
Let us ask Jehovah for help to face the problems. Many of us are suffering from the loss of a loved one, persecution, or physical, emotional or family problems. And pandemics and wars have made many of those situations worse. Therefore, open your heart wide to Jehovah. Vent to him just as you would to a good friend. You can be sure that Jehovah will act on your behalf. (Read Psalm 37:3, 5.)
How does prayer help us endure when we have difficulties? Give an example.
Persevering in prayer helps us endure when we have difficulties (Rom. 12:12). Jehovah knows what his servants go through and “hears their cries for help” (Ps. 145:18, 19). A 29-year-old pioneer named Kristie was able to see this. From one moment to the next he began to have serious health problems. As a result, he fell into a deep depression. Some time later, his mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Kristie says: "I prayed hard to Jehovah to give me the strength to keep going day after day. I tried to maintain a good spiritual routine: I didn't miss meetings and I did my personal study." She adds: "Prayer sustained me in the darkest moments. Knowing that Jehovah was always at my side comforted me greatly. Although I did not get better immediately, Jehovah answered my prayers, giving me a lot of inner peace." Let us never forget that “Jehovah knows how to rescue those who are devoted to him from trials” (2 Pet. 2:9).
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