DAILY TEXT, Monday, August 18, 2025, Because of God's promise, he became powerful through his faith (Rom. 4:20).

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Monday, August 18, 2025

Because of God's promise, he became powerful through his faith (Rom. 4:20).

Jehovah uses older people to give us strength (Isa. 32:1, 2). So talk to them when you have a concern. And if they offer help, accept it gladly. Jehovah uses them to make you strong.

The hope the Bible gives us of living forever, whether in heaven or in a paradise here on Earth, also fills us with strength (Rom. 4:3, 18, 19). Thanks to this hope, we have the strength to endure trials, preach the good news, and fulfill our responsibilities in the congregation (1 Thess. 1:3). That same hope strengthened the apostle Paul.

He had been oppressed, persecuted, and beaten down, and he had been wavering. There were even times when he came close to losing his life (2 Cor. 4:8-10). Focusing on his hope gave Paul the strength to endure (2 Cor. 4:16-18). He focused on the eternal life he would have in heaven in the future. He meditated on that hope, and as a result, he felt himself “being renewed daily.” w23:10 15, 16 pars. 14-17.

Why did the apostle Paul need strength?

Paul needed strength. In his letter to the Corinthians, he said he was as fragile as a clay pot. He recounted being oppressed, persecuted, and struck down, and how he had been indecisive. There were even times when he came close to losing his life (2 Cor. 4:8-10). He wrote all this on his third missionary journey. He probably didn't know at the time that more hardships lay ahead. Later, a violent mob would attack him, he would be arrested, shipwrecked, and end up in prison.

According to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, what gave Paul strength to endure trials?

What gave Paul the strength to endure? Focusing on his hope (read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). He told the Corinthian brothers that although his body was “wasting away,” his spirit was unbroken. He focused on the life he would have in the future. For him, the heavenly hope was very special, “of ever-increasing greatness.” And he was willing to endure anything to earn the reward. Paul meditated on that hope, and as a result, he felt himself “being renewed daily.”

How does hope strengthen Tijomir and his family?

Hope is what gives strength to a brother from Bulgaria named Tikhomir. A few years ago, his younger brother, Zdravko, died in a car accident. Tikhomir was devastated. What has helped him and his family cope with this grief? Thinking about what the resurrection will be like. He explains: “For example, we talk about where we will welcome Zdravko, what food we will prepare for him, who we will invite to his welcome party, and what details of the last days we will tell him.” Tikhomir says that focusing on hope gives his family the strength to continue enduring and waiting for the moment when Jehovah will resurrect his brother.

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