1, 2. (a) What decision did Moses make when he was 40 years old? (See opening picture.) (b) Why did Moses choose to suffer with the Israelites?

MOSES knew the kind of future that Egypt could offer him. He saw the large, beautiful houses of the wealthy. He had been adopted by the king’s family. He “was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” which probably included the arts, astronomy, mathematics, and other sciences. (Acts 7:22) It would have been very easy for him to have the money, power, and privileges that a common Egyptian could never have.

² Despite all the opportunities Moses had, he made a decision when he was 40 years old that must have been impossible for Pharaoh and his family to understand. He chose to give up his future in Egypt. Did he want the life of a common Egyptian? No, not even that! He chose to suffer with slaves. Why? Moses had faith. (Read Hebrews 11:24-26.) Because of his faith, it was as if Moses could see Jehovah. He had faith in “the One who is invisible” and in the fulfillment of God’s promises.​—Hebrews 11:27.

3. What three questions will be answered in this article?

³ Like Moses, we need to have eyes of faith to see more than what the world has to offer and to see Jehovah. We must be “the sort who have faith.” (Hebrews 10:38, 39) To help us strengthen our faith, let us examine what is written about Moses at Hebrews 11:24-26. As we do so, try to answer these questions: How did faith help Moses to reject fleshly desires? When he faced opposition, how did faith help him to value his privilege of serving Jehovah? And why did Moses look “intently toward the payment of the reward”?

HE REJECTED FLESHLY DESIRES

4. What did Moses understand about the “enjoyment of sin”?

⁴ With eyes of faith, Moses was able to understand that the “enjoyment of sin” was only temporary. Others might have seen things differently. Why? They had seen Egypt, a place where idolatry and spiritism were common, become a world power, while Jehovah’s people suffered as slaves. But Moses knew that God could change the situation. Although those who focused on satisfying their own desires seemed to be successful, Moses had faith that the wicked would be destroyed. As a result, he was not tempted by “the temporary enjoyment of sin.”

5. What will help us to resist “the temporary enjoyment of sin”?

⁵ How can you resist “the temporary enjoyment of sin”? Never forget that the pleasure that comes from sinning lasts for only a short time. Faith will help you to see that “the world is passing away and so is its desire.” (1 John 2:15-17) Meditate on the future of unrepentant sinners. They are “on slippery ground . . . as they come to a terrible end!” (Psalm 73:18, 19) When you are tempted to sin, ask, ‘What future do I want for myself?’

6. (a) Why did Moses refuse “to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter”? (b) Why do you think that Moses made the right decision?

⁶ Moses’ faith also guided his choice of career. “By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (Hebrews 11:24) Moses did not reason that he could have an important position in the royal court and then serve God by using his money and power to help his Israelite brothers. Moses was determined to love Jehovah with all his heart, soul, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) Moses’ decision saved him much suffering. In the end, the Israelites took many of the treasures of Egypt. (Exodus 12:35, 36) Pharaoh was humiliated and he was drowned. (Psalm 136:15) But what about Moses? He was used by God to lead the entire nation of Israel to safety. His life was truly successful.

7. (a) According to Matthew 6:19-21, why should we plan for an everlasting future? (b) What experience shows the difference between planning for a temporary future and planning for an everlasting one?

⁷ If you are a young servant of Jehovah, how can faith help you to choose a career? Plan for the future. Have faith in God’s promises and “store up,” or plan, for an everlasting future, not a temporary one. (Read Matthew 6:19-21.) This is a decision that Sophie, a talented ballet dancer, had to make. Ballet companies across the United States offered her scholarships and desirable career opportunities. She says that “it was thrilling to be adored.” She even admits that she felt that she was better than the other dancers. But she was unhappy. Then Sophie watched the video Young People Ask​—What Will I Do With My Life? She says: “I realized that the world had given me success and the adoration of fans in exchange for my wholehearted worship of Jehovah.” So she prayed intensely to Jehovah and then gave up her dancing career. How does she feel about her decision? “I don’t miss my old life. Today, I am 100 percent happy. I pioneer with my husband. We’re not famous, and we have very little materially. But we have Jehovah, Bible students, and spiritual goals. I don’t have any regrets.”

8. What Bible counsel can help a young person to decide what to do with his life?

⁸ Jehovah knows what is best for you. Moses said: “What is Jehovah your God asking of you? Only this: to fear Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of Jehovah that I am commanding you today for your own good.” (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13) While you are young, choose a career that will make it possible for you to serve and love Jehovah “with all your heart and all your soul.” You can be confident that such a choice will be “for your own good.”

HE VALUED HIS PRIVILEGES OF SERVICE

9. Explain why it may have been difficult for Moses to fulfill his assignment.

⁹ Moses “considered the reproach of the Christ to be riches greater than the treasures of Egypt.” (Hebrews 11:26) In this scripture, Moses is referred to as “the Christ,” or “Anointed One.” This means that he was selected by Jehovah to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses knew that doing this would be difficult. He would even face “reproach,” that is, opposition. Earlier, one of the Israelites had mocked Moses by saying: “Who appointed you as a prince and a judge over us?” (Exodus 2:13, 14) Later, Moses himself asked Jehovah: “How will Pharaoh ever listen to me?” (Exodus 6:12) To prepare for the opposition, Moses prayed to Jehovah about his fears and worries. How did Jehovah help Moses to succeed in his difficult assignment?

10. How did Jehovah give Moses what he needed to fulfill his assignment?

¹⁰ First, Jehovah promised Moses: “I will prove to be with you.” (Exodus 3:12) Second, Jehovah gave him hope and courage by explaining one aspect of the meaning of His own name: “I Will Become What I Choose to Become.”a (See footnote.) (Exodus 3:14) Third, he gave Moses the power to perform miracles, and this proved that Moses was truly sent by God. (Exodus 4:2-5) Fourth, Jehovah selected Aaron to speak for Moses and to help him fulfill his assignment. (Exodus 4:14-16) By the end of his life, Moses was absolutely sure that God helps His servants fulfill any assignment He gives them. Moses was so confident in Jehovah that he could tell Joshua: “Jehovah is the one marching before you, and he will continue with you. He will neither desert you nor abandon you. Do not be afraid or be terrified.”​—Deuteronomy 31:8.

11. Why did Moses value his assignment?

¹¹ With Jehovah’s support, Moses valued his difficult assignment even more than “the treasures of Egypt.” There is nothing like serving the almighty God. Of what value was being a prince in Egypt compared with being selected by Jehovah to lead Israel? Moses was rewarded for having the right attitude. He enjoyed a close relationship with Jehovah, who gave him “awesome power” to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.​—Deuteronomy 34:10-12.

12. What privileges has Jehovah given us?

¹² We too have an assignment. Jehovah has assigned us “to a ministry,” as he did the apostle Paul and others. (Read 1 Timothy 1:12-14.) All of us have the privilege to preach the good news. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) Some serve as full-time ministers. Mature baptized brothers serve others in the congregation as ministerial servants and elders. However, your unbelieving family and others may question the value of the privileges you have. They may even criticize you for the sacrifices you make for Jehovah. (Matthew 10:34-37) If they discourage you, you could begin to think that these sacrifices are not worthwhile or that you cannot fulfill your assignment. If that happens to you, how will faith help you to endure?

13. How does Jehovah help us to fulfill the assignments he gives us?

¹³ Beg Jehovah for his support, having faith that he will help you. Tell him your fears and worries. After all, it is Jehovah who gave you this assignment, and you can be sure that he will help you to succeed. How? In the same ways that he helped Moses. First, Jehovah promises: “I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10) Second, he reminds you that you can trust his promises: “I have spoken, and I will bring it about. I have purposed it, and I will also carry it out.” (Isaiah 46:11) Third, Jehovah gives you “the power beyond what is normal” to succeed in your assignment. (2 Corinthians 4:7) Fourth, to help you endure in your assignment, our caring Father gives you a worldwide brotherhood of true worshippers who “keep encouraging one another and building one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) When Jehovah gives you what you need to succeed in your assignments, your faith in him will become stronger. As a result, you will value the assignments you receive more than anything the world could offer you.

“HE LOOKED INTENTLY TOWARD THE PAYMENT OF THE REWARD”

14. Why was Moses sure that he would be rewarded?

¹⁴ Moses “looked intently toward the payment of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26) Even though there were many details about the future that Moses did not know, he allowed the little he did know to guide his decisions. Like his forefather Abraham, Moses was confident that Jehovah can resurrect the dead. (Luke 20:37, 38; Hebrews 11:17-19) His confidence in God’s promises helped Moses not to feel that his 40 years as a fugitive and his 40 years in the wilderness were a wasted life. Although he did not know exactly how Jehovah would keep all of His promises, he had so much faith in Jehovah that it was as if Moses could see his future reward.

15, 16. (a) Why do we need to focus on our reward? (b) What blessings are you looking forward to under God’s Kingdom rule?

¹⁵ Do you look “intently toward the payment of” your reward? Like Moses, we still do not know exactly how God’s promises will come true. For example, we “do not know when the appointed time is” for the great tribulation. (Mark 13:32, 33) Even though we do not know everything, we know much more about the future Paradise than Moses knew. Jehovah has given us enough promises about what life will be like under his Kingdom rule that we can look “intently” toward it, that is, we can form a clear picture of the new world in our minds. If we have this clear picture, we will really want to seek the Kingdom first. Why so? Think about this: Would you buy a house if you knew very little about it? Of course not! In the same way, we would not use our lives to pursue a hope that is not real to us. Our faith should help us see a clear, focused picture of our life under Kingdom rule.

¹⁶ To have a clear picture of God’s Kingdom in your mind, look “intently,” that is, imagine your life in Paradise. For example, when you study the lives of Bible characters who lived before Jesus, think about what you might ask them when they are resurrected. Imagine what they might ask you about your life during the last days. Imagine how excited you will be to meet your relatives from hundreds of years ago and to teach them about all that God has done for them. Imagine your joy as you learn about many wild animals by watching them on a peaceful earth. Meditate on how much closer you will feel to Jehovah as you gradually become perfect.

17. How can a clear picture of our future reward help us today?

¹⁷ Having a clear picture in our mind of our future reward helps us to endure, to have joy, and to make decisions. Paul wrote to anointed Christians: “If we hope for what we do not see, we keep eagerly waiting for it with endurance.” (Romans 8:25) But this does not only apply to the anointed. It applies to all Christians with the hope of everlasting life. Although we have not yet received our reward, our faith is so strong that we keep on waiting patiently for “the payment of the reward.” Like Moses, we do not feel that the years we spend serving Jehovah are a waste of time. Rather, we are sure that “the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.”​—Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

18, 19. (a) Why must we fight to keep our faith strong? (b) What will we discuss in the next article?

¹⁸ Faith allows us to see “the convincing evidence of realities that are not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1; footnote) A physical person does not have eyes of faith, so he does not understand the value of serving Jehovah. To such a person, this privilege is “foolishness.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) We hope to live forever and to see the resurrection, things that people in this world cannot even imagine. Like some men of Paul’s day who called him an ignorant “chatterer,” most people today think that the hope we preach is complete nonsense.​—Acts 17:18.

¹⁹ Because we are surrounded by a world that has no faith, we must fight to keep our faith strong. Beg Jehovah that “your faith may not give out.” (Luke 22:32) Like Moses, have clearly in mind the consequences of sin, the honor of serving Jehovah, and the hope of eternal life. Is that all we learn from Moses’ example? No. In the next article, we will discuss how faith helped Moses to see “the One who is invisible.”​—Hebrews 11:27.

1, 2. (a) Explain why Moses seemed to be in danger. (See opening picture.) (b) Why did Moses not fear the anger of the king?

PHARAOH was a powerful ruler, and the Egyptians worshipped him as a god. The book When Egypt Ruled the East says that to the Egyptians, he was greater than any other earthly creature “in wisdom and power.” Pharaoh wanted the Egyptians to fear him, so he wore a crown with the image of a cobra ready to attack. This image was a reminder that the king’s enemies would quickly be destroyed. So imagine how Moses felt when Jehovah told him: “I will send you to Pharaoh, and you will bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”​—Exodus 3:10.

² Moses went to Egypt and told Pharaoh about God’s message. That made Pharaoh very angry. After Egypt was punished with nine plagues, Pharaoh was so angry that he warned Moses: “Make sure that you do not try to see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.” (Exodus 10:28) Moses left, but before that, he prophesied that the king’s firstborn son would die. (Exodus 11:4-8) Moses then told every Israelite family to slaughter a goat or a male sheep and to splash its blood on their doorways. The male sheep was a sacred animal to the Egyptian god Ra. (Exodus 12:5-7) How would Pharaoh react? Moses was not afraid of Pharaoh’s reaction. Why not? Because he had faith and obeyed Jehovah, “not fearing the anger of the king, for he continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible.”​—Read Hebrews 11:27, 28.

3. What questions about Moses’ faith in “the One who is invisible” will we discuss?

³ Is your faith so strong that it is as if you could “see God”? (Matthew 5:8) To strengthen our faith so that we can see “the One who is invisible” as a real Person, let us discuss the example of Moses. How did his faith in Jehovah protect him from fear of man? How did he show that he really believed God’s promises? And how did seeing “the One who is invisible” strengthen Moses when he and his people were in danger?

HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF “THE ANGER OF THE KING”

4. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh, what may those without faith have thought?

⁴ Those without faith may have thought that Moses was powerless against mighty Pharaoh. Moses’ life and future were in Pharaoh’s hands. Even Moses himself asked Jehovah: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) About 40 years earlier, Moses had run from Egypt as a fugitive. He may have wondered, ‘Is it really a good idea for me to go back to Egypt and risk making the king angry?’

5, 6. What helped Moses to fear Jehovah, not Pharaoh?

⁵ God taught Moses an important lesson before he returned to Egypt. Moses later wrote about that lesson in the book of Job: “The fear of Jehovah​—that is wisdom.” (Job 28:28) To help Moses learn proper fear and act wisely, Jehovah compared humans with himself, the almighty God. He asked: “Who made a mouth for man, or who makes them speechless, deaf, clear-sighted, or blind? Is it not I, Jehovah?”​—Exodus 4:11.

⁶ What was the lesson? Moses was sent by Jehovah, so he did not need to be afraid. God would give Moses the power to tell God’s message to Pharaoh. And this was not the first time God’s servants had been in danger in Egypt. Perhaps Moses remembered how Jehovah had protected Abraham, Joseph, and even Moses himself from other Pharaohs who ruled in the past. Pharaoh was powerless against Jehovah. (Genesis 12:17-19; 41:14, 39-41; Exodus 1:22–2:10) Because Moses saw “the One who is invisible,” he courageously went to Pharaoh and told him every word of Jehovah’s message.

7. How did faith in Jehovah protect one sister?

⁷ Faith in Jehovah also protected a sister named Ella from giving in to fear of man. In 1949 she was arrested in Estonia by the KGB. They took all her clothes off, and then young police officers stared at her. “I felt humiliated,” she said. “Yet, after I prayed to Jehovah, peace and calmness of heart came over me.” Then Ella was left alone in a small, dark cell for three days. She says: “The officials shouted: ‘We are going to make it so that even the name Jehovah will not be remembered in Estonia! You are going to a camp, and the others are going to Siberia!’ Tauntingly, they added, ‘Where is your Jehovah?’” Would Ella fear men or trust in Jehovah? When interrogated, she was not afraid to tell them: “I have given this matter much thought, and I would rather live in prison with my relationship with God intact than be free and lose his approval.” Jehovah was just as real to Ella as the men standing in front of her. She remained loyal to Jehovah because she had faith in him.

8, 9. (a) What do you need in order to overcome fear of man? (b) If you are tempted to give in to fear of man, what should you keep clearly in mind?

⁸ If you have faith in Jehovah, you can overcome your fears. If the authorities try to stop you from worshipping God, it may seem that your life and future are in their hands. You might even ask yourself: ‘Is it really a good idea for me to continue serving Jehovah and to make the authorities angry?’ Remember: With faith in God, you can overcome fear of man. (Read Proverbs 29:25.) Jehovah asks: “Why should you be afraid of a mortal man who will die and of a son of man who will wither like green grass?”​—Isaiah 51:12, 13.

⁹ Keep your almighty Father clearly in mind. He sees all those who suffer because of unfair treatment. He feels compassion for them and helps them. (Exodus 3:7-10) Even if you have to defend your faith to powerful officials, “do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour,” the Bible says. (Matthew 10:18-20) Human rulers and officials are powerless against Jehovah. If you strengthen your faith now, you can see Jehovah as a real Person who is eager to help you.

HE HAD FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISES

10. (a) What instructions did Jehovah give the Israelites in the month of Nisan 1513 before Christ? (b) Why did Moses obey God’s instructions?

¹⁰ In the month of Nisan 1513 before Christ, Jehovah instructed Moses and Aaron to tell the Israelites to take a healthy male sheep or goat, slaughter it, and splash its blood on their doorways. (Exodus 12:3-7) Although the Israelites had never done that before, the apostle Paul later wrote that Moses had faith and “observed the Passover and the splashing of the blood, so that the destroyer might not harm their firstborn.” (Hebrews 11:28) Moses knew that Jehovah’s promises would come true, and he had faith that all firstborn sons in Egypt would die.

11. Why did Moses warn others?

¹¹ Moses obediently warned other Israelite families whose firstborn sons were in danger, even though his own sons were apparently in Midian, safe and far away from “the destroyer.” (Exodus 18:1-6)a (See footnote.) Because Moses loved his fellow man, he quickly “called all the elders of Israel and said to them: . . . ‘Slaughter the Passover sacrifice.’”​—Exodus 12:21.

12. What message has Jehovah told us to preach?

¹² With the help of the angels, Jehovah’s people are announcing this important message: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment by him has arrived, so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7) We must preach that message now. We must warn our neighbors to get out of Babylon the Great, that is, false religion, so that they do not “receive part of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4) Anointed Christians, with the help of the “other sheep,” beg people to become friends of God.​—John 10:16; 2 Corinthians 5:20.

13. What will help increase your desire to preach the good news?

¹³ We are convinced that “the hour of judgment” has arrived. We are also convinced that the preaching work is just as urgent as Jehovah says it is. In a vision, the apostle John “saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth.” (Revelation 7:1) Do you see those angels ready to release the destructive winds of the great tribulation on this world? If you see those angels with your eyes of faith, you will feel confident about preaching the good news to others.

14. Why do we want to “warn the wicked one to turn from his wicked course”?

¹⁴ We already have a friendship with Jehovah and the hope of eternal life, but we also understand that it is our responsibility to “warn the wicked one to turn from his wicked course so that he may stay alive.” (Read Ezekiel 3:17-19.) Of course, this is not the only reason why we preach. We preach because we love Jehovah and because we love our neighbor. In his illustration of the Samaritan, Jesus taught us to understand what it really means to show love and mercy. We might ask ourselves: ‘Am I like the Samaritan, or am I like the priest and the Levite? Am I always willing to give a witness, or do I make excuses not to preach to others?’ (Luke 10:25-37) If we have faith in God’s promises and love for our neighbor, we will want to do our best in the preaching work before it is too late.

THE ISRAELITES “PASSED THROUGH THE RED SEA”

15. Why did the Israelites feel trapped?

¹⁵ Moses’ faith in “the One who is invisible” helped him when the Israelites were in danger after they left Egypt. The Bible says: “The Israelites raised their eyes and saw the Egyptians pursuing them. The Israelites became terrified and began to cry out to Jehovah.” (Exodus 14:10-12) The Israelites should have expected this situation. Jehovah had foretold: “I will allow Pharaoh’s heart to become obstinate, and he will chase after them, and I will glorify myself by means of Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah.” (Exodus 14:4) Despite Jehovah’s warning, the Israelites had no faith. They could see only the Red Sea blocking the way in front of them, Pharaoh’s war chariots approaching quickly behind them, and an 80-year-old shepherd leading them. They felt trapped.

16. How did faith strengthen Moses at the Red Sea?

¹⁶ Moses was not afraid. His eyes of faith saw something much more powerful than a sea or an army. He could “see the salvation of Jehovah,” and he knew that Jehovah would fight for the Israelites. (Read Exodus 14:13, 14.) Moses’ faith strengthened and encouraged God’s people. The Bible says: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted it, they were swallowed up.” (Hebrews 11:29) After that, “the people began to fear Jehovah and to put faith in Jehovah and in his servant Moses.”​—Exodus 14:31.

17. What future event will test our faith?

¹⁷ Soon, our lives will seem to be in danger. By the time Armageddon begins, the governments of this world will have destroyed religious organizations that were much more powerful than ours. (Revelation 17:16) In a prophecy, Jehovah says that we will be defenseless, like a “land of unprotected settlements . . . , unprotected by walls, bars, or gates.” (Ezekiel 38:10-12, 14-16) Those who do not have faith in Jehovah may think that we have no chance of survival. How will you react?

18. Explain why we can remain strong during the great tribulation.

¹⁸ We do not need to be afraid. Why? Because Jehovah has foretold not only that his people will be attacked but also that he will save them. “‘On that day, the day when Gog invades the land of Israel,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘my great rage will flare up. In my zeal, in the fire of my fury, I will speak.’” (Ezekiel 38:18-23) God will destroy all those who want to harm Jehovah’s people. If you have faith that Jehovah will protect you during his “great and awe-inspiring day,” you will be able to “see the salvation of Jehovah” and remain strong.​—Joel 2:31, 32.

19. (a) How close was the relationship between Jehovah and Moses? (b) If you obey Jehovah “in all your ways,” what blessings will you have?

¹⁹ Prepare now for those thrilling events by continuing “steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible”! Become a closer friend of Jehovah by studying and praying regularly. Moses had a close friendship with Jehovah and was used so powerfully by him that the Bible says that Jehovah knew Moses “face-to-face.” (Deuteronomy 34:10) Moses was an extraordinary prophet. If you have faith, you too can have such a close friendship with Jehovah that it will be as if you could actually see him. If you obey him “in all your ways,” as God’s Word tells us to do, “he will make your paths straight.”​—Proverbs 3:6.

1-3. (a) What problems do many families have with money, and how do some try to solve them? (See opening picture.) (b) When parents think about moving away from their family, what concerns do they have about raising their children?

EVERY day Marilyn’s husband, James, returned home from work exhausted.a (See footnote.) He barely earned enough money to pay for their daily needs. Marilyn wanted to make life easier for her husband and wanted their son, Jimmy, to have some of the nice things his schoolmates had. She wanted to help their extended family and also save some money for the future. Many of her friends had moved to other countries so that they could earn more money. But when Marilyn thought about moving away from her family, she was not sure what she should do. Why?

² It upset Marilyn to think about what could happen if she left her precious family. Worshipping Jehovah together was a regular part of their family life. How would they continue to do this if she was far away? At the same time, she thought about others who had moved away from their families, and they still seemed to be serving Jehovah. Could she really raise her son over the Internet and teach him to serve Jehovah?​—Ephesians 6:4.

³ Marilyn asked for advice. Her husband did not want her to leave, but he said that he would not try to stop her if she wanted to go. The elders and some others in her congregation warned her not to leave, but some sisters told her: “If you love your family, you’ll go. You can still serve Jehovah.” Even though she had doubts, Marilyn said good-bye to James and Jimmy and left for a job in another country. “I won’t be gone for long,” she promised.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND BIBLE PRINCIPLES

4. Why do many people move far away from their family? Who often raise the children of parents who move away?

⁴ Jehovah does not want his servants to starve. (Psalm 37:25; Proverbs 30:8) Throughout history, Jehovah’s people have moved to get out of poverty. To avoid starvation, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food.b (See footnote.) (Genesis 42:1, 2) In contrast, most who move today are not starving, so why do they move? Many are deeply in debt. Others may live in an area that has a poor economy. Because they want to have nicer things and live a more comfortable life, they may move away from their family to an area where it is easier to earn money. Parents who move away from home often leave their children to be raised by others, such as another parent, an older child, grandparents, other relatives, or friends. Even though it is painful to leave their family, many who move to work far away from home feel that they have no choice.

5, 6. (a) What did Jesus teach about happiness and security? (b) What material things did Jesus teach his followers to pray for? (c) How does Jehovah bless us?

⁵ In Jesus’ day, many people were poor. They may have felt that if they had more money, they would be happier and more secure. (Mark 14:7) But Jesus did not want them to trust in temporary things. He wanted them to trust in Jehovah, whose blessings last forever. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that real happiness and security come from our friendship with Jehovah, not from the things we have or from our own efforts.

⁶ In his model prayer, Jesus did not teach us to pray for a comfortable life. Instead, he taught us to pray for “our bread for this day.” Jesus clearly taught his listeners: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth.” He added: “Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9, 11, 19, 20) We can trust that Jehovah will bless us as he promises. God’s blessing includes more than his approval. It is a guarantee that he will give us everything we really need. The only way to have real happiness and security is to trust in our loving Father, Jehovah, instead of money.​—Read Matthew 6:24, 25, 31-34.

7. (a) To whom has Jehovah given the responsibility to raise children? (b) Why do both parents need to help raise their children?

⁷ Doing God’s will includes taking care of our family responsibilities the way Jehovah wants us to. For example, the Law of Moses commanded parents to train their own children to serve Jehovah. Christians who want to please Jehovah must also do this. (Read Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.) God has given this responsibility to parents, not to grandparents or anyone else. King Solomon said: “Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.” (Proverbs 1:8) Jehovah wants families to live together so that both parents can teach and guide their children. (Proverbs 31:10, 27, 28) When children hear their parents talk about Jehovah and see how they serve him every day, children can learn to do the same.

UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES

8, 9. (a) What changes often occur when a parent lives apart from the family? (b) When parents and children do not live together, how can this damage a family?

⁸ Many who are thinking of leaving their family realize that their decision may create some problems. But it is impossible to know exactly how such a decision will affect your family. (Proverbs 22:3)c (See footnote.) As soon as Marilyn left, she began to suffer the emotional pain of being away from her family. Her husband and son suffered too. Young Jimmy kept asking her, “Why did you leave me?” Marilyn planned to be away for only a few months, but as years went by, it scared her to see how her family was changing. Jimmy was not the same boy she used to know. He talked to her less and less and was not willing to share his feelings anymore. Marilyn says, “His love for me went away.”

⁹ When parents and children do not live together as a family, their emotions and even their standards of right and wrong can be affected.d (See footnote.) The younger the children and the longer they are away from their parents, the more damage can be done. Marilyn explained to Jimmy that she was making a sacrifice to help him, but to Jimmy it seemed as if his mother had stopped loving him. In the beginning, he resented her absence. But later, when she visited him, he resented her presence. Similar to many children who are separated from their parents, Jimmy believed that his mother no longer had the right to be loved and obeyed.​—Read Proverbs 29:15.

10. (a) When parents give gifts instead of their time and attention, what can happen to their children? (b) What does a family miss when a parent is far away?

¹⁰ Because she was far away from Jimmy, Marilyn tried to make things better by sending him money and gifts. But she realized that she was pushing her son away. She was teaching him to love money more than his family or even Jehovah. (Proverbs 22:6) Sadly, Jimmy told her not to come back but to keep sending gifts. Marilyn finally decided that she could not raise her son through letters, phone calls, or video chats. She explains, “You cannot hug your child or kiss him good-night over the Internet.”

11. (a) How does living apart for work affect a marriage? (b) When did Marilyn realize that she needed to be with her family?

¹¹ Marilyn’s relationship with Jehovah also suffered. She spent time with her congregation only one day a week or less. Her relationship with her husband suffered too. She had to fight off her boss who wanted to have sex with her. And because James and Marilyn could not talk about their problems with each other, they talked to others about their feelings and almost committed adultery. Marilyn realized that even though they did not commit adultery, their marriage was in danger. The Bible instructs married couples to care for each other’s emotional and sexual needs. Because Marilyn and James were so far apart, they could not give each other the private time and attention that a married couple should enjoy. (Song of Solomon 1:2; 1 Corinthians 7:3, 5) And they could not worship Jehovah together with their son. Marilyn says, “When I learned at a convention that regular family worship is vital for us to survive Jehovah’s great day, I understood that I needed to go home.” She had to rebuild her relationship with her family and with Jehovah.

GOOD ADVICE AND BAD ADVICE

12. What advice from the Bible can help those who are living apart from their family?

¹² When Marilyn decided to return home, some gave her good advice and others gave her bad advice. The elders in her congregation commended her. Others tried to convince her to stay and told her that she could not earn enough money back home. “You’ll be back here in a short time,” they said. Instead of making such discouraging comments, Christians should “advise the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,” and to be “working at home,” or taking care of their own family. In this way, Christians will not bring shame on God’s name.​—Read Titus 2:3-5.

13, 14. Why do we need faith to go against family wishes? Give an example.

¹³ Many who leave their family to work far away have grown up in cultures that honor traditions and relatives, especially parents, more than all else. A Christian needs strong faith to go against his family’s wishes when these wishes do not please Jehovah.

¹⁴ Consider Carin’s story: “When my son Don was born, my husband and I were working abroad, and I had recently begun to study the Bible.” Everyone in the family expected Carin to send Don to her parents until she and her husband could earn more money. When Carin said that she was going to raise Don herself, her relatives, including her husband, called her lazy and laughed at her. Carin said: “At the time, I could not fully understand what was wrong with leaving Don with my parents for a few years. But I knew that Jehovah gave the job of raising our son to us​—his parents.” When she became pregnant again, her unbelieving husband demanded that she have an abortion. The good decision Carin made earlier had prepared her well, so she was able to make another decision that would please Jehovah. Today, she, her husband, and their children are all happy that they stayed together. If Carin had sent away one or both of her children to be raised by others, the result could have been very different.

15, 16. (a) How was Vicky raised as a child? (b) Why did she choose not to raise her daughter in the same way?

¹⁵ A Witness named Vicky says: “For a few years, I was raised by my grandmother, while my parents kept my younger sister with them. By the time I rejoined my parents, my feelings for them had changed. My sister felt free to express herself to them, to hug them, and to enjoy a close relationship with them. I felt distant from my parents, and even into adulthood, I found it hard to show them my true feelings. My sister and I have assured our parents that we will take care of them in their old age. But I will do so more out of duty, while my sister will care for them more out of love.

¹⁶ “Now my mother wants me to send my daughter to her for her to raise, just as she sent me back to her mother.” Vicky kindly refused. She and her husband want to raise their own child to love Jehovah. “I do not want to damage my future relationship with my daughter,” says Vicky. She has learned that the only way to be successful is to love Jehovah and his principles more than things and even family. Jesus plainly said: “No one can slave for two masters,” for God and for Riches.​—Matthew 6:24; Exodus 23:2.

JEHOVAH CAN MAKE OUR EFFORTS “SUCCESSFUL”

17, 18. (a) What choice do Christians always have? (b) What questions will we consider in the next article?

¹⁷ Our Father, Jehovah, has promised to give us everything we really need if we put the Kingdom and his righteousness first in our lives. (Matthew 6:33) Because of this promise, true Christians always have a choice. Even when we face the most difficult problems, there is always a way to please Jehovah and follow Bible principles. Jehovah promises to give us a “way out.” (Read 1 Corinthians 10:13.) Our prayers and obedience show Jehovah that we are trusting in him. (Psalm 37:5, 7) Jehovah will see our efforts and give us everything we need. He will make our lives “successful.”​—Compare Genesis 39:3.

¹⁸ But what can we do to repair the damage caused by separation? How can we take care of our family’s material needs without living far away from them? And how can we lovingly help others to stay with their families? The following article will consider these questions.

1, 2. Why can it be difficult for those who work far away from home to return? (See opening picture.)

EDUARDO had a good job and made a lot of money when he was working in a country far from his family.a (See footnote.) But when he learned the truth, he realized that his family needed more than money. They needed him at home to care for them. So he went back home.​—Ephesians 6:4.

² Eduardo knew that Jehovah wanted him to go back to his family. But it was not going to be easy. He had to restore his relationship with his wife and children, and he had to earn enough money to care for them. How would he do that? Would the congregation help them?

REPAIRING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JEHOVAH AND WITH YOUR FAMILY

3. How are children affected when parents live far away?

³ Eduardo admits: “I had neglected my children when they most needed my guidance and affection. I had not been there to read them Bible stories, to pray with them, to cuddle them, and to play with them.” (Deuteronomy 6:7) His oldest daughter, Anna, remembers: “I felt emotionally insecure not having our father at home with us. When he returned, we knew him only by his face and voice. It didn’t feel natural when he hugged me.”

4. Why is it difficult for a father to be a good family head when he lives away from his family?

⁴ The longer a father lives away from home, the more difficult it is for him to be a family head. Eduardo’s wife, Ruby, explains: “I had to play two roles​—Mom and Dad—​and I got used to making most of the family decisions. When Eduardo came home, I had to learn what Christian subjection really means. Even now, I sometimes have to remind myself that my husband is here.” (Ephesians 5:22, 23) “The girls were used to going to their mother for permission to do things,” says Eduardo. “I had to learn to take the lead in a Christian way.” Eduardo and Ruby realized that their children needed to see that their parents make decisions together.

5. What did Eduardo do to repair his relationship with his family when he returned home? What was the result?

⁵ Eduardo did all he could to repair his relationship with his family and to help them build their relationship with Jehovah. He wanted to teach his children the truth by word and example, not just to say that he loves Jehovah but to show it. (1 John 3:18) Did Jehovah bless Eduardo’s efforts? “Seeing all his efforts to be a good father and to draw close to us again made a big difference,” answers Anna. “When we saw him reaching out in the congregation, we felt proud. The world was trying to pull us away from Jehovah. But we saw our parents focused on the truth, so we tried to do the same. Papa promised never to leave us again, and he didn’t. If he had, I probably wouldn’t be in Jehovah’s organization today.”

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY

6. What lesson did many parents learn during a war in the Balkans?

⁶ Children want their parents to be with them. For example, when there was a war in the Balkans, many Witness parents were not able to go to work. As a result, they spent most of their time with their children at home. They played with them, talked with them, and studied with them. The children loved it, and they were happy even though life was very difficult during the war. The lesson? More than money or gifts, children really want their parents. As the Bible says, children will benefit when their parents spend time with them and train them.​—Proverbs 22:6.

7, 8. (a) What may shock parents when they return home? (b) How can parents repair their relationship with their children?

⁷ Some parents may be shocked when they return to their family. Their children may act as if they do not even care that they are back or as if they do not trust them anymore. The parent may say, “How can you be so ungrateful after all I have done for you?” But the truth is, the child is hurt because his parent left him. How can the parent fix the problem?

⁸ Ask Jehovah to help you to understand how your family really feels, and show them that you care. You also need to speak to your family and admit that you are part of the problem. A genuine apology may help. When your family sees that you keep trying to make things better, they will know that you are sincere. If you are patient and do not give up, your family may begin to love and respect you again.

PROVIDING FOR YOUR FAMILY

9. Why should we be content with our standard of living?

⁹ The apostle Paul wrote that when older Christians cannot care for their own needs, their children and grandchildren should help them. According to Paul, all we really need to be content with our standard of living are food, clothing, and shelter. (Read 1 Timothy 5:4, 8; 6:6-10.) To provide for his family, a Christian does not need to become rich in this world that is “passing away.” (1 John 2:15-17) We must not think that money can solve all our problems or let the “anxieties of life” cause our family to lose their “firm hold on the real life” in God’s new world!​—Luke 21:34-36; 1 Timothy 6:19; Mark 4:19.

10. Why is it wise to avoid debt?

¹⁰ Jehovah knows that we need some money. But money cannot help and protect us as wisdom from Jehovah can. (Ecclesiastes 7:12; Luke 12:15) Many times, people do not realize how much it will cost to move to another country. And there is no guarantee that they will make money once they get there. In fact, such a move can be dangerous. Many who leave their family return home with even more debt. Instead of being able to serve God more freely, they have to serve the people to whom they owe money. (Read Proverbs 22:7.) It is always wise to avoid debt in the first place.

11. How can using a budget help families?

¹¹ Eduardo knew that to care successfully for his family after moving home, he would have to be careful how they spent money. He and his wife made a budget based on what they really needed.b (See footnote.) To follow their budget, they could not buy as much as they did when they had more money. But all in the family cooperated, and they did not spend money on unnecessary things. “For example,” Eduardo says, “I took my children out of private schools and found good public schools for them.” He and his family prayed for him to find work that would not get in the way of their routine of worship. How did Jehovah answer their prayers?

12, 13. What did Eduardo do to support his family, and how did Jehovah bless his decision to keep life simple?

¹² For the first two years, Eduardo barely made enough money for his family to live, they had to use their savings, and he was very tired. But Eduardo says, “We could attend all the meetings and go in service together.” He decided that he would not even think about taking a job that would keep him away from his family. “Instead,” he says, “I learned to do various jobs so that when one type of work was not available, I could do another.”

¹³ Because it took a long time for Eduardo to pay off his debts, he had to pay a lot of interest on the money he had borrowed. However, Eduardo was willing to do this so that he could serve Jehovah with his family. “I now make less than 10 percent of what I made overseas,” Eduardo says, “but we don’t go hungry. ‘The hand of Jehovah is not short.’ In fact, we decided to pioneer.” Soon after that, the economy improved, and it became much easier for him to take care of his family.​—Isaiah 59:1.

PRESSURE FROM RELATIVES

14, 15. What can families do if their relatives want them to choose money over worship of Jehovah? What may happen when we set a good example?

¹⁴ Some people feel that they must give money and gifts to relatives and friends. “It is part of our culture, and we enjoy giving,” says Eduardo. But he adds, “There is a limit.” He kindly explains to his relatives that he will give them as much as he can, but he will not neglect his immediate family’s needs or their worship to Jehovah.

¹⁵ Some relatives may be disappointed in a person who chooses to stay with his family or who chooses to return home. They may even call him unloving or selfish. Why? Because these relatives expect money from him. (Proverbs 19:6, 7) Eduardo’s daughter Anna says that if their family chooses worship of Jehovah over money, their relatives may understand how important Jehovah is. If they do not make that choice, their relatives may never be able to understand.​—Compare 1 Peter 3:1, 2.

EXERCISING FAITH IN GOD

16. (a) What wrong thinking could a person have? (James 1:22) (b) What decisions does Jehovah bless?

¹⁶ One sister who left her family to work in another country told the elders: “We had to make great sacrifices for me to come here. My husband even had to stop serving as an elder. So I really hope that Jehovah will bless this move.” If we have faith and make decisions according to Jehovah’s will, we can be sure that he will bless us. He will not bless decisions that go against his will. And he will not be pleased if we give up a privilege of service for the wrong reasons.​—Read Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:13-15.

17. Why should we look for Jehovah’s direction before making decisions, and how can we do this?

¹⁷ Seek Jehovah’s direction before you make a decision so that you will not have regrets later. Pray for holy spirit, wisdom, and guidance. (2 Timothy 1:7) Ask yourself: ‘How much am I willing to sacrifice in order to serve Jehovah? Will I listen to his direction to stay with my family, even if that means we will have a less comfortable life?’ (Luke 14:33) Ask the elders for help, and follow their Bible-based advice. If you do this, you show that you trust in Jehovah’s promise to help you. The elders will not tell you what to do, but they will help you to make wise choices that will lead to a happy life.​—2 Corinthians 1:24.

18. Who is responsible for supporting a family? What can we do to help?

¹⁸ Jehovah expects that family heads support their families all the time. We should pray for and commend those who care for that responsibility without leaving their families, even when they are tempted to go away or others tell them to do so. In addition to our prayers, we have an opportunity to prove our love for these faithful brothers when disasters strike or some medical emergency happens. (Galatians 6:2, 5; 1 Peter 3:8) Could you help them to find work nearby or give them something else that they urgently need, such as money or food? If so, they may not need to leave their family to find work in another area.​—Proverbs 3:27, 28; 1 John 3:17.

REMEMBER THAT JEHOVAH IS YOUR HELPER!

19, 20. Why can Christians be sure that Jehovah will help them?

¹⁹ Jehovah assures us: “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For [God] has said: ‘I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.’ So that we may be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5, 6) How do we do this in real life?

²⁰ An elder in a poor country says that people often comment about how happy Jehovah’s Witnesses are. He says that they also notice that even poor Witnesses are always nicely dressed and have the things they need. This is exactly what Jesus promised. (Matthew 6:28-30) Jehovah loves us and does what is best for us. He is very interested in all of his servants and is always ready to “show his strength” in order to help us. (2 Chronicles 16:9) That is why he has given us commandments about family life and how to care for our needs. When we obey these commandments, we show Jehovah that we love him and trust in him. “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”​—1 John 5:3.

21, 22. Why have you decided to trust in Jehovah?

²¹ Eduardo says that he knows that the time he was apart from his wife and children can never be regained. But he does not dwell on his regrets. Many of those he worked with before are rich but unhappy. Their families have serious problems. However, his family is very happy! Even though they are poor, Eduardo’s family and other families in his country trust that Jehovah will help them. He says, “We all are experiencing the truth of Jesus’ promise.”​—Read Matthew 6:33.

²² Be courageous! Choose to obey Jehovah and trust in him. You can be a good family head if you love Jehovah, your mate, and your children. You will be able to experience Jehovah as your Helper.

1, 2. How is the way Jehovah watches us different from the way traffic cameras do?

IN MANY countries, the authorities have put up cameras to check the traffic and make recordings of accidents. They also record drivers who hit people walking on the road and who try to escape instead of helping the victims. The recordings help the authorities to find and arrest these ones. Because of all these cameras, it is becoming more difficult for criminals to get away with doing wrong.

² The Bible says that Jehovah’s eyes “are everywhere.” (Proverbs 15:3) Does this mean that he constantly watches us only to see if we break his laws? Is he just waiting to punish us as soon as we make mistakes? Not at all! (Jeremiah 16:17; Hebrews 4:13) Jehovah watches us because he loves us and wants us to be safe and happy.​—1 Peter 3:12.

3. In what five ways does Jehovah look after us?

³ How can we get a deeper understanding of God’s love for us? We will discuss five ways in which Jehovah looks after us. (1) He warns us before we do what is bad. (2) He corrects us when we go the wrong way. (3) He guides us with Bible principles. (4) He helps us when we face trials. (5) He rewards us for doing what is right.

JEHOVAH WARNS US

4. Why did God give Cain a warning before he sinned?

⁴ First, we will discuss the ways that Jehovah warns us before we do something bad. (1 Chronicles 28:9) For example, Cain “grew hot with anger” when Jehovah did not approve of him. (Read Genesis 4:3-7.) Jehovah warned Cain that if he did not “turn to doing good,” he was going to sin. It was as if sin were “crouching at the door,” waiting to catch him. Jehovah asked him: “Will you get the mastery over it?” Jehovah wanted Cain to “be restored to favor.” If Cain listened to the warning, he would continue to have a good relationship with God.

5. In what ways does Jehovah warn us?

⁵ The same is true with us today. Jehovah is able to see who we truly are on the inside. He knows our thoughts and desires, and we cannot hide anything from him. He loves us and wants us to do what is right, but he does not force us. So if he sees something bad in us, he warns us. How? When we read the Bible regularly, when we read our publications, and when we attend meetings, we are able to hear God’s warnings. Have you ever read or heard something that helped you overcome a problem that only Jehovah knew about? These warnings from Jehovah come exactly when we need them.

6, 7. (a) What proof do we have that Jehovah cares for each one of his servants? (b) How can you benefit from Jehovah’s personal attention?

⁶ All the warnings in the Bible really show that Jehovah loves each one of us. It is true that the Bible, our publications, and our meetings benefit millions of people. But Jehovah asks you to pay attention to his warnings in the Bible so that you can do what is right. This shows that he cares for you personally.

⁷ How do we benefit from God’s warnings? We must first believe that he really cares about us and then apply his Word to ourselves. So if we have any thought that displeases God, we must crush it immediately. (Read Isaiah 55:6, 7.) If we are quick to listen, we will avoid a lot of heartache. But what if we do not listen? Does Jehovah still care for us?

OUR LOVING FATHER CORRECTS US

8, 9. When someone gives us counsel from the Bible, how does this prove that Jehovah cares for us? Give an example.

⁸ When Jehovah corrects us, we know that he cares for us. (Read Hebrews 12:5, 6.) It is true that we do not enjoy receiving counsel, discipline, or correction. (Hebrews 12:11) But when someone gives us counsel from the Bible, it is very important to understand why he does this. He does not do so because he wants to hurt our feelings but because he sees that our relationship with Jehovah is in danger. He is willing to take the time and to make the effort to show us from the Bible how we can return to Jehovah. We respect this counsel because its Source is Jehovah.

⁹ For example, one brother was addicted to pornography before he came into the truth. When he learned the truth, he broke the habit. Later, he bought a new cell phone, and he went back to his old habit and started to watch pornography on Internet sites. (James 1:14, 15) It became evident that the old desire for pornography was still burning within him, like the coals of a fire. One day, he lent his phone to an elder, and the pornographic sites appeared on the phone. The elder immediately counseled the brother. The brother listened to the counsel and eventually overcame this bad habit. Jehovah sees our hidden sins and can correct us before we damage our relationship with him. We are grateful that Jehovah cares for us.

HOW BIBLE PRINCIPLES GUIDE US

10, 11. (a) How do we “take notice of” God’s guidance? (b) Tell the experience of a family who wisely followed Jehovah’s guidance.

¹⁰ The psalmist sang to Jehovah: “You guide me with your advice.” (Psalm 73:24) We can “take notice of” Jehovah’s advice by searching his Word. In this way, we can find out how he thinks, follow his guidance, and continue to have a good relationship with him. Jehovah’s advice also helps us to provide for ourselves and our family.​—Proverbs 3:6.

¹¹ For example, a farmer, his wife, and their large family lived on a rented farm in the Philippines. Both he and his wife were regular pioneers. Then suddenly, the owner of the farm sent them a note telling them that they could no longer live there. They were shocked and later found out that someone had falsely accused them of dishonesty. The brother was worried about where they would live. But he had confidence in Jehovah and said: “Jehovah will provide. He always cares for our needs, no matter what happens.” The family followed Bible principles, and they were respectful and peaceful despite the accusations. A few days later, the owner of the farm told them that they could stay. The owner was so impressed with the way they reacted to the accusations that he changed his mind and even gave them more land to cultivate. (Read 1 Peter 2:12.) It is clear that if we follow Bible principles, Jehovah will guide us through difficult times.

A FRIEND WHO HELPS US ENDURE TRIALS

12, 13. When might it be difficult to believe that God cares about us?

¹² As servants of Jehovah, we face many trials, and some of them may seem to last for a long time, such as illness, persecution, or opposition from family members. One of the most difficult things to endure is a serious disagreement with someone in the congregation because of personality differences.

¹³ For example, what a brother says may really hurt you. You might think: ‘This should not happen in God’s organization!’ Yet the brother who hurt you is given more responsibilities in the congregation, and others think that he is wonderful. You might ask: ‘How can this be? Does Jehovah not see? Will he not act?’​—Psalm 13:1, 2; Habakkuk 1:2, 3.

14. Why might Jehovah allow our brothers to give us strong counsel?

¹⁴ Jehovah sees much more than we see, and he may allow a situation for important reasons. For example, someone may give us counsel that we do not feel we deserve, and our feelings are hurt. But God may see the situation differently. Is it possible that we did deserve the counsel after all? In his life story, Brother Karl Klein said that Brother Rutherford once gave him strong counsel. Some time later, when Brother Rutherford greeted him cheerfully, Brother Klein barely responded. Brother Rutherford saw that Brother Klein was still hurting from the counsel. Brother Rutherford warned Brother Klein: “Just watch out. The Devil’s after you.” This advice really helped Brother Klein. When he later became a member of the Governing Body, he said that he had learned that our brothers have the right to counsel us and that if we hate them for this, the Devil will catch us.a​—See footnote.

15. What must we keep in mind when we face trials?

¹⁵ We want trials to end quickly. But it is important that we learn to be patient. Trials can be compared to being stuck in traffic when you are driving on a busy road. You could patiently stay on the road until the traffic starts to move. Instead, you become impatient and decide to find another road. But then you get lost and arrive late at your destination. If you had been patient and had stuck to your original route, you probably would have arrived on time. It is similar when we face trials. If we are patient and follow Bible principles, Jehovah will help us endure.

16. Why might Jehovah allow us to suffer trials?

¹⁶ Jehovah may allow trials because he wants us to be trained by them. (Read 1 Peter 5:6-10.) We must never think that God causes our trials. (James 1:13) It is “your adversary, the Devil,” who causes most of the suffering. However, it is important to know that Jehovah sees our suffering and that he loves us. He will make sure that our trials do not last forever. They will continue for only “a little while.” Be confident that Jehovah cares for you and will provide you with the strength to endure to the end.​—2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

THE REWARD FROM JEHOVAH

17. Why does Jehovah search the hearts of all people?

¹⁷ Jehovah searches the hearts of all people to see who really loves him. The prophet Hanani told King Asa: “The eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) Jehovah will “show his strength” toward you, which means that he will protect and reward you.

18. Why should we be confident that Jehovah will reward us if we do what is good? (See opening picture.)

¹⁸ Jehovah wants to “show favor” to us, that is, he wants to reward us. If we want his blessing, we need to “search for what is good,” “love what is good,” and “do what is good.” (Amos 5:14, 15; 1 Peter 3:11, 12) Jehovah rewards the righteous ones, even if nobody else sees their good deeds. (Psalm 34:15) We can see this from the example of two Israelite midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. Pharaoh ordered them to kill all the Israelite baby boys at birth. These women obeyed God rather than Pharaoh, and they saved the babies. Jehovah saw Shiphrah and Puah’s good deeds and rewarded them with children of their own. (Exodus 1:15-17, 20, 21) Sometimes we may feel that no one sees the good that we do, but Jehovah sees every good deed we have done. He will reward us.​—Matthew 6:4, 6; 1 Timothy 5:25; Hebrews 6:10.

19. What experience did one sister have?

¹⁹ We may at times feel that Jehovah does not notice our efforts in the preaching work, but he does. A Hungarian sister in Austria received the address of a woman who spoke Hungarian. The sister immediately went to that address, but no one was at home. She went back again and again for a year and a half and left literature, letters, and her telephone number. Sometimes she felt that someone was at home, but no one opened the door. One day when she went to the house, a friendly woman opened the door and said: “Please come in. I read everything you brought and have been waiting for you.” This woman had been receiving chemotherapy treatments and had not felt like talking to people. She accepted a Bible study. The sister felt that Jehovah had noticed and rewarded her efforts.

20. How do you feel about Jehovah’s personal interest in you?

²⁰ As we learned in this article, Jehovah sees whatever we do and searches the hearts of everyone. We do not feel that he is trying to find fault with us or to record our every mistake. Rather, we are drawn to Jehovah because we know that he cares for us and that he really wants to help and reward us for the good we do.