1, 2. (a) What kinds of problems do many have today, and what is the result? (b) What sure hope does Isaiah 41:10, 13 give?

A SISTER who is a regular pioneer and is married to an elder says: “Despite maintaining a good spiritual routine, I have struggled with anxiety for many years. It robs me of sleep, impacts my health, affects the way I treat others, and sometimes makes me want to give up.”

² Can you understand that sister’s feelings? Sadly, because we live in Satan’s wicked world, we experience a tremendous amount of pressure. And like an anchor that prevents a boat from moving, anxiety can make us feel weighed down or discouraged. (Proverbs 12:25) Why may you feel anxious? Maybe you are sad over the death of a loved one or are enduring a serious illness or persecution. Or you may be struggling to care for your family in a very difficult economy. As time passes, emotional stress can cause your strength to weaken and even cause you to lose your joy. However, you can be confident that God is ready to help you.​—Read Isaiah 41:10, 13.

3, 4. (a) How does the Bible use the word “hand”? (b) What might cause our hands to drop down?

³ The Bible often uses parts of the body to describe the different qualities or actions of a person. The hand, for example, is mentioned hundreds of times. When the Bible says that someone’s hands are strengthened, it can mean that the person has been encouraged, is stronger, and is ready for action. (1 Samuel 23:16, footnote; Ezra 1:6, footnote) It can also mean that he is positive and that he has a hope for the future.

⁴ Other times, the Bible may describe a person who drops his hands down. That refers to a person who is discouraged or who loses hope. (2 Chronicles 15:7, footnote; Hebrews 12:12) When you are under stress or are exhausted or feel that your relationship with Jehovah is becoming weaker, you may want to give up. Where can you find encouragement? How can you be motivated and strengthened to endure and have joy?

“THE HAND OF JEHOVAH IS NOT TOO SHORT TO SAVE”

5. (a) How might we feel when we have problems, but what should we remember? (b) What will we discuss?

⁵ Read Zephaniah 3:16, 17. We should not become afraid and discouraged, or let our hands drop down, when we have problems. Our loving Father, Jehovah, invites us to throw all our anxiety on him. (1 Peter 5:7) Jehovah cares for us as he cared for the nation of Israel. He told them that his hand “is not too short to save.” He is always ready to save his loyal servants. (Isaiah 59:1) In this article, we will discuss three outstanding Bible examples that show Jehovah’s desire and ability to strengthen his people to do his will despite severe difficulties. Let us see how these examples can strengthen you.

6, 7. What can we learn from Israel’s victory over the Amalekites?

⁶ Soon after the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, the Amalekites attacked them. Moses told Joshua, a courageous man, to lead the Israelites into battle. Then Moses took Aaron and Hur to a hill nearby. From there, they could see the battlefield. Were those three men running from the battle because they were afraid? Absolutely not!

⁷ Moses followed a plan that helped the Israelites win the battle against the Amalekites. He held the rod of the true God in his hands and lifted them up toward heaven. When Moses did that, Jehovah gave the Israelites the power to fight the Amalekites. However, when Moses’ hands became heavy and began to drop down, the Amalekites started to win. Aaron and Hur acted quickly to help Moses. “They took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands, so that his hands remained steady until the sun set.” Yes, because of God’s mighty hand, the Israelites won the battle.​—Exodus 17:8-13.

8. (a) What did Asa do when the Ethiopians threatened Judah? (b) How can we imitate Asa?

⁸ Jehovah was also ready to use his mighty hand to help his people in King Asa’s day. Many armies are mentioned in the Bible, but the largest one belonged to Zerah the Ethiopian, who had 1,000,000 experienced soldiers. The Ethiopian army was almost twice as large as Asa’s army. Did Asa become anxious, afraid, or discouraged? Did he let his hands drop down? No! Asa immediately asked Jehovah for help. From a military standpoint, it may have seemed impossible to win the battle against the Ethiopians. “But with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) God used his great power and “defeated the Ethiopians before Asa,” whose “heart was complete with Jehovah all his life.”​—2 Chronicles 14:8-13; 1 Kings 15:14.

9. (a) What did not stop Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem? (b) How did God respond to Nehemiah’s prayer?

⁹ When Nehemiah went to Jerusalem, what did he find? He saw that enemies from foreign lands were threatening the Jews, so that they had stopped building Jerusalem’s walls. The city was not protected, and the Jews were discouraged. How did Nehemiah feel? Did he also become discouraged and let his hands drop down? No! Like Moses, Asa, and other faithful servants of Jehovah, Nehemiah always relied on Jehovah. In this situation too, Nehemiah prayed to Jehovah for help, and Jehovah answered him. God used his “great power” and “mighty hand” to strengthen the Jews. (Read Nehemiah 1:10; 2:17-20; 6:9.) Do you believe that Jehovah uses his “great power” and “mighty hand” to strengthen his servants today?

JEHOVAH WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR HANDS

10, 11. (a) How does Satan try to cause us to let our hands drop down? (b) What does Jehovah use to strengthen us and give us power? (c) How have you benefited from Jehovah’s instruction?

¹⁰ We can be sure that the Devil will never let his hands drop down. He will continue to attack us, trying to stop our Christian activities. He uses lies and threats from governments, religious leaders, and apostates. What is his goal? He wants us to stop preaching the good news of the Kingdom. But Jehovah is able and willing to help us, and he gives us his holy spirit to strengthen us. (1 Chronicles 29:12) It is very important that we ask for God’s spirit so that we can fight Satan and his wicked world. (Psalm 18:39; 1 Corinthians 10:13) We are also grateful for the help we get from God’s Word. Think, too, about how much we learn from our publications each month. The words of Zechariah 8:9, 13 (read) were spoken while the temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt, yet those words can help us today.

¹¹ Jehovah also strengthens us through the instruction we receive at our Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as in our theocratic schools. That instruction can help us to serve God with the right motives, to set goals, and to care for our many Christian responsibilities. (Psalm 119:32) Are you eager to gain strength from Jehovah’s instruction?

12. What must we do to stay strong?

¹² Jehovah helped his people to defeat the Amalekites and the Ethiopians, and he gave Nehemiah and the Jews the power to complete Jerusalem’s walls. In a similar way, God will give us the strength to continue in our preaching work despite our own anxieties and despite opposition and lack of interest shown by others. (1 Peter 5:10) Jehovah will not miraculously make our problems disappear. Instead, we must do our part. How? We need to read God’s Word every day, prepare for and go to our meetings each week, continue in our personal study and family worship, and rely on Jehovah in prayer. Let us never allow anything to distract us from the things that Jehovah has provided to strengthen and encourage us. If you feel that your hands have dropped down in any of these areas, ask for God’s help. Then see how God’s spirit “energizes you, giving you both the desire and the power to act.” (Philippians 2:13) Can you, though, strengthen the hands of others?

STRENGTHEN HANDS THAT MAY HANG DOWN

13, 14. (a) How was one brother strengthened after his wife died? (b) How can we strengthen others?

¹³ Jehovah gives us a worldwide brotherhood of caring brothers and sisters who can encourage us. The apostle Paul said: “Strengthen the hands that hang down and the feeble knees, and keep making straight paths for your feet.” (Hebrews 12:12, 13) Many of the early Christians got that kind of help from their brothers and sisters. It is similar today. Consider an example. After one brother lost his wife in death and endured other painful situations, he said: “I learned that we cannot choose our tests, neither their time nor their frequency. Prayer and personal study have been like a life jacket that has kept my head above water. And the support of my spiritual brothers and sisters has brought me much comfort. I have come to realize the importance of developing a good personal relationship with Jehovah before difficult situations arise.”

¹⁴ Aaron and Hur helped to strengthen Moses’ hands by supporting them during the battle against the Amalekites. Today, we too can look for ways to support and help others. Some of our brothers suffer because of old age, health problems, persecution from their family, loneliness, or the loss of a loved one. We can also strengthen young ones, who are often under pressure to do wrong or to find success in this world. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3; 5:11, 14) Look for ways to show real interest in others at the Kingdom Hall, in the ministry, during a meal together, or when you talk on the telephone.

15. What effect can positive words have on our brothers and sisters?

¹⁵ After Asa’s impressive victory against the large Ethiopian army, the prophet Azariah encouraged him and his people by saying: “But you, be strong and do not let your hands drop, for your activity will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7, footnote) This motivated Asa to make many changes to restore pure worship. In a similar way, your positive words can encourage others and help them to continue serving Jehovah. (Proverbs 15:23) And you should never forget how your brothers are strengthened when you give encouraging comments during the meetings.

16. How can elders imitate Nehemiah? Give examples of how brothers and sisters have helped you personally.

¹⁶ With Jehovah’s help, Nehemiah and the Jews strengthened their hands. They completed Jerusalem’s walls in just 52 days! (Nehemiah 2:18, footnote; 6:15, 16) Nehemiah did not just watch as others did the work. He personally helped to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. (Nehemiah 5:16) Similarly, many elders imitate Nehemiah when they help with construction projects or clean and maintain the Kingdom Hall. These loving men also strengthen brothers and sisters who are “anxious at heart” by visiting them and by working with them in the ministry.​—Read Isaiah 35:3, 4.

“DO NOT LET YOUR HANDS DROP DOWN”

17, 18. When we have problems or are anxious, we can be sure of what?

¹⁷ When we work together with our brothers and sisters, it strengthens our unity. It also helps us to build lasting friendships and strengthens our confidence in the blessings that will soon come from God’s Kingdom. When we strengthen the hands of others, we help them to endure difficult situations and to keep a positive hope for the future. In addition, when we help others, it strengthens our hands and helps us to focus on the future.

¹⁸ When we think about how Jehovah helped and protected his faithful servants in the past, our faith and trust in him are strengthened. So when you have problems and feel anxious, “do not let your hands drop down”! You can be sure that if you pray to Jehovah for help, his powerful hand will strengthen you and lead you to Kingdom blessings in the near future.​—Psalm 73:23, 24.

1, 2. What struggles do Jehovah’s servants have?

ALL of God’s faithful servants have struggled, from righteous Abel to loyal ones today. The apostle Paul told Hebrew Christians that they “endured a great struggle along with sufferings” as they tried to gain Jehovah’s approval and blessing. (Hebrews 10:32-34) Paul compared the struggles of Christians to those of athletes competing in Greek contests, such as running, wrestling, and boxing. (Hebrews 12:1, 4) Today, we are in the race for life, and we have enemies who want to distract us and cause us to lose our joy now and our rewards in the future.

² Our hardest struggle, or “wrestling,” is against Satan and his world. (Ephesians 6:12, footnote.) It is very important that we resist being affected by this world’s teachings, philosophies, and bad practices, such as committing immorality, smoking, and abusing alcohol or drugs. We must also continue to fight against discouragement and our own weaknesses.​—2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Colossians 3:5-9.

3. How does God train us to fight our enemies?

³ Is it really possible to win the fight against such powerful enemies? Yes, but it will be hard! Paul compared himself to a boxer when he said: “The way I am aiming my blows is so as not to be striking the air.” (1 Corinthians 9:26) Just as one boxer fights another boxer, we need to fight against our enemies. Jehovah helps us and trains us to do so. He does this by means of the Bible. He also helps us through our Bible-based publications, Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Do you use all the instruction you are getting? If not, you may not be fully opposing your enemy, just like a boxer whose blows strike the air.

4. How do we avoid being conquered by the evil?

⁴ We need to be alert at all times. Why? Our enemies might attack us when we do not expect it or when we are weak. The Bible gives us both warning and encouragement when it says: “Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” (Romans 12:21) If we keep fighting against the evil, we can win! However, if we let our guard down and stop fighting, then Satan, his world, and our weaknesses could overpower us. So never give up. Do not be discouraged and let your hands drop down!​—1 Peter 5:9.

5. (a) What do we need to remember in order to have God’s approval and blessing? (b) Which Bible characters will we consider?

⁵ In order to win, we need to remember why we are struggling. It is because we want to have God’s approval and blessing. Hebrews 11:6 says: “Whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” Earnestly seeking Jehovah means that we have to work very hard if we want his approval. (Acts 15:17) In the Bible, there are many good examples of men and women who did just that. Jacob, Rachel, Joseph, and Paul all faced situations that were difficult for them emotionally and physically. But they were able to succeed. Their examples prove that if we work hard, we too can receive Jehovah’s blessing. Let us see how.

YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF YOU PERSEVERE

6. What helped Jacob to persevere, and how was he rewarded? (See opening picture.)

⁶ The faithful man Jacob struggled and endured because he loved Jehovah and valued his relationship with him. He had complete faith in Jehovah’s promise to bless his offspring. (Genesis 28:3, 4) When Jacob was almost 100 years old, he even wrestled with an angel to receive a blessing from God. (Read Genesis 32:24-28.) Was Jacob really strong enough to wrestle with this powerful angel on his own? Of course not! But he was very determined, and he proved that he would work very hard for a blessing! Jehovah blessed Jacob for his perseverance and gave him the name Israel, which means “Contender, or Perseverer, With God.” Jacob received the reward that we too are seeking, that is, Jehovah’s approval and blessing.

7. (a) What discouraging situation did Rachel have? (b) What did Rachel do, and how was she blessed?

⁷ Jacob’s dear wife, Rachel, was also eager to see how Jehovah would keep his promise to her husband. But there was a problem. Rachel had been unable to have children. In Bible times, this inability caused women much pain. How did Rachel continue contending despite her discouraging situation? She never gave up hope. Instead, she kept contending by praying more and more to Jehovah. He heard Rachel’s sincere prayers, and she felt blessed when she finally had children. That is why she said: “With strenuous wrestlings I have wrestled . . . I have also come off the winner!”​—Genesis 30:8, 20-24.

8. What difficulties did Joseph have, and how was he a good example for us?

⁸ Jacob and Rachel’s faithful example probably affected their son Joseph and helped him when he had difficulties in life. When Joseph was 17 years old, his life changed completely. His brothers, who were jealous of him, sold him into slavery. Later, he spent many years in a prison in Egypt, even though he was innocent. (Genesis 37:23-28; 39:7-9, 20, 21) But Joseph did not become discouraged or bitter, and he did not try to seek revenge. Why not? Because Joseph valued his relationship with Jehovah and focused on it with all his heart. (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:17-21) Joseph’s example can help us. Even if we had a bad childhood or if our life right now seems hopeless, we need to keep contending and persevering. When we do, we can be sure that Jehovah will bless us.​—Read Genesis 39:21-23.

9. How can we imitate Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph?

⁹ Today, we too may have to endure difficult challenges. Maybe you are suffering because of injustice, prejudice, or ridicule or because of someone’s jealousy toward you. Instead of being discouraged, remember what helped Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph to continue serving Jehovah with joy. God strengthened and blessed them because they deeply appreciated their relationship with him. They kept on struggling, or contending, and acting in harmony with their prayers. Because we are living in the last days, it is important to keep our hope for the future strong! Are you willing to wrestle, that is, to work hard, for Jehovah’s favor?

BE WILLING TO WRESTLE FOR A BLESSING

10, 11. (a) Why may we have to wrestle for God’s blessing? (b) What will help us to make the right choices?

¹⁰ Why may we have to wrestle for God’s blessing? For one thing, because we are imperfect, we may struggle with certain wrong desires. Some struggle to have a positive attitude toward the ministry, and others struggle because of health problems or feelings of loneliness. There are still others who find it difficult to forgive someone who has hurt them. No matter how long we have been serving Jehovah, all of us need to fight against things that make it difficult to serve God, the one who rewards the faithful.

¹¹ Really, it can be very difficult to be a Christian and to make the right choices, especially when we are fighting against our wrong desires. (Jeremiah 17:9) If that is how you feel, pray to Jehovah and ask him for his holy spirit. Prayer and holy spirit can help you to have the strength to do what is right, and then you can receive God’s blessing. Be determined to live according to your prayers. Try to read the Bible each day, and make time for personal study and family worship.​—Read Psalm 119:32.

12, 13. How were two Christians helped to control wrong desires?

¹² There are many examples of how God’s Word, his spirit, and our Christian publications have helped our brothers and sisters to overcome wrong desires. One teenager read the article “How Can You Resist Wrong Desires?” published in Awake! of December 8, 2003. What was his reaction? “I am fighting to control improper thoughts. When I read in the article that ‘for many, the battle to overcome wrong desires is especially intense,’ it made me feel part of the brotherhood. I felt that I was not alone.” This young person also benefited from the article “Alternative Life-Styles​—Does God Approve?” which appeared in Awake! of October 8, 2003. In that article, he noticed that for some the battle is constant, like “a thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) Yet, while they continue battling to keep their conduct clean, they have a positive hope for the future. “For that reason,” he said, “I think that as each day passes, I can remain faithful. I am very grateful to Jehovah for using his organization to help us survive each day in this wicked system.”

¹³ Consider also the experience of a sister in the United States. She writes: “I want to thank you for always feeding us with just what we need and at the right time. I often feel that these articles are written just for me. For years, I have been battling a strong desire for something Jehovah hates. At times, I want to throw my hands up and stop fighting. I know that Jehovah is merciful and forgiving, but because I have this wrong desire and deep down I don’t hate it, I feel that I am unable to receive his help. This ongoing battle has affected every aspect of my life. . . . After reading the article ‘Do You Have “a Heart to Know” Jehovah?’ in The Watchtower of March 15, 2013, I really felt that Jehovah does want to help me.”

14. (a) How did Paul feel about his struggles? (b) How can we win the battle against our weaknesses?

¹⁴ Read Romans 7:21-25. Paul knew personally how hard it could be to fight against wrong desires and weaknesses. However, he was sure that he could win the battle if he prayed to Jehovah, relied on him for help, and showed faith in Jesus’ sacrifice. What about us? Can we win the battle against our weaknesses? Yes, if we imitate Paul and completely rely on Jehovah, not on our own strength, and have faith in the ransom.

15. How can Jehovah help us to remain faithful and to endure trials?

¹⁵ Sometimes God may allow us to show how concerned we really are about a matter. For example, if we or someone in our family experiences a serious sickness or injustice, how will we react? If we completely trust in Jehovah, we will beg him to give us the strength we need to remain faithful and to keep our joy and relationship with him strong. (Philippians 4:13) The examples of many Christians, both past and present, have shown that prayer can strengthen us and give us the courage we need so that we can continue enduring.

KEEP CONTENDING FOR JEHOVAH’S BLESSING

16, 17. What are you determined to do?

¹⁶ The Devil would love to see you get discouraged and give up and drop your hands down. So be determined to “hold fast to what is fine.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) You can win the fight against Satan, his wicked world, and any wrong desires! You can win if you completely trust that God will strengthen you and help you.​—2 Corinthians 4:7-9; Galatians 6:9.

¹⁷ So keep fighting. Keep struggling. Keep contending. Keep persevering. You can be absolutely sure that Jehovah will “pour out on you a blessing until there is nothing lacking.”​—Malachi 3:10.

1, 2. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses have appropriate standards of dress? (See opening picture.)

A DUTCH newspaper described how church leaders were dressed at one of their meetings. It said: “You saw a lot of casual clothing, especially when it was hot.” However, the same newspaper said that this was not how Jehovah’s Witnesses were dressed at their convention. It reported that the boys and men wore jackets and ties and that the girls and women wore skirts that were modest in length, yet modern. Jehovah’s Witnesses are often commended for the way they dress. The apostle Paul said that the clothes Christians wear should show “modesty and good judgment,” which is proper for God’s servants. (1 Timothy 2:9, 10, footnote) Although Paul was speaking about women, the standard is the same for Christian men.

² Good standards of dress are important to us as Jehovah’s people, and they are important to the God we worship. (Genesis 3:21) The Bible makes it clear that Jehovah, the Sovereign of the universe, has standards for the way he wants his servants to dress. So, what we choose to wear should please not only us but, more important, our Sovereign Lord, Jehovah.

3. What can we learn about clothing from God’s Law to the Israelites?

³ In the Mosaic Law, there were rules that protected the Israelites against the very immoral way of life of the nations around them. The Law showed that Jehovah has strong feelings against clothing that does not show the clear difference between men and women. Today, the style that does not make the difference clear is called unisex fashion. (Read Deuteronomy 22:5.) From the Law, we learn that Jehovah is not pleased with clothing that makes men look like women, that makes women look like men, or that makes it hard to see the difference between men and women.

4. What can help Christians to make good decisions about how to dress?

⁴ Bible principles can help us to make good decisions about how to dress. These principles apply no matter what country or climate we live in or what our culture is. We do not need a long list of what is acceptable clothing and what is not. We just need to follow Scriptural principles, which still allow us to wear things we like. Let us consider some Bible principles that can help us determine “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when we are deciding what to wear.​—Romans 12:1, 2.

“WE RECOMMEND OURSELVES AS GOD’S MINISTERS”

5, 6. How should our clothing affect others?

⁵ The apostle Paul was inspired to mention the important principle found at 2 Corinthians 6:4. (Read.) The way we look sends a message to others, and many people will form an opinion about us based on how we look. (1 Samuel 16:7) Because we are God’s servants, we need to do more than just wear what is comfortable or what we like. When we apply Bible principles, it should help us to avoid wearing clothing that is tight-fitting, revealing, or sexy. This means that we would avoid clothing that exposes or highlights private parts of our body. Nobody should feel uncomfortable or forced to look the other way when they see how we are dressed.

⁶ When we are neat, clean, and well-groomed and our clothing is modest, people may have more respect for us as servants of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. And they may be more interested in the God we worship, have more respect for our organization, and be more likely to listen to our lifesaving message.

7, 8. When especially do we need to wear appropriate clothing?

⁷ We owe it to our holy God, to our Christian brothers and sisters, and to the people in our territory to dress in a way that honors Jehovah and the message we preach. (Romans 13:8-10) What we wear is especially important when we go to our Christian meetings or when we preach. We should dress in a way that is proper for people who worship God. (1 Timothy 2:10) Of course, some clothing that is appropriate in one place may not be appropriate in another. So no matter where we live, as Jehovah’s Witnesses we should avoid offending others by the way we dress.

⁸ Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. When we go to assemblies and conventions, our clothing needs to be appropriate and modest. We should not imitate the extreme styles of clothing common in the world. Even before and after the convention program and when we are checking in or out of a hotel, we should make sure that our clothing is not overly casual or sloppy. That way we will be proud to identify ourselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses, and we will feel ready to give a witness at any time.

9, 10. Why should Philippians 2:4 affect what we wear?

⁹ Read Philippians 2:4. Why should we think about how our clothing affects our Christian brothers and sisters? One reason is that God’s people work hard to follow the advice: “Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion.” (Colossians 3:2, 5) Some of our brothers and sisters gave up a sexually immoral life, but they may still be fighting against wrong desires. If we are not careful, the way we dress could make it even more difficult for them to follow the Bible’s counsel and fight against those desires. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) We would not want to make their fight more difficult, would we?

¹⁰ When we are with our brothers and sisters, we are safe from people who promote immorality. The way we dress should add to this clean environment, whether we are at a meeting or in a casual setting. Although we have the freedom to choose what to wear, we also have the responsibility to wear clothes that make it easier for others to keep their thoughts, words, and conduct clean in God’s eyes. (1 Peter 1:15, 16) True love “does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests.”​—1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.

THE RIGHT CLOTHING FOR THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE

11, 12. How does Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17 help us to be reasonable?

¹¹ When God’s servants have to decide what to wear, they know that “there is a time for every activity and every action.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17) Different climates, seasons, living conditions, and circumstances may affect what we wear. But Jehovah’s standards are always the same.​—Malachi 3:6.

¹² In warmer weather, it is more challenging to make sure that our clothing is respectable and modest. Our brothers and sisters appreciate it when we do not wear clothes that are so tight or so loose that they are revealing. (Job 31:1) Also, when we are at the beach or at a swimming pool, our swimwear should be modest. (Proverbs 11:2, 20) Even if many in the world wear revealing swimwear, we should be sure that our choice brings honor to our holy God, Jehovah.

13. Why should the counsel found at 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33 affect our choice of clothing?

¹³ There is another important principle that should affect our choice of clothing. We need to be careful that we do not offend the conscience of others. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33.) It is our responsibility to avoid clothes that may offend our brothers and sisters as well as those who do not serve Jehovah. The apostle Paul wrote: “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Paul added this reason: “For even the Christ did not please himself.” (Romans 15:2, 3) Like Jesus, we should view doing God’s will and helping others as more important than our personal preferences. So we will choose not to wear styles of clothing that we like but that might prevent people from listening to our message.

14. How can parents train their children to glorify God by the way they dress?

¹⁴ Christian parents have the responsibility to teach their children to follow Bible principles. This includes making sure that they and their children make God happy by their modest style of dress and grooming. (Proverbs 22:6; 27:11) How can parents train their children to respect our holy God and his standards? Parents should set a good example for their children. And they should lovingly teach their children where and how to find appropriate clothes. Children should not choose clothes just because they like them, but more important, they should choose clothes that honor Jehovah, the God they represent.

USE YOUR FREEDOM WISELY

15. What should help us to make wise choices?

¹⁵ The Bible is a practical guide that can help us to make wise choices that will honor God. Even so, what we wear reflects our personal taste. The styles we like and the clothes we can afford may be different from those of others. But our clothes should always be neat, clean, modest, appropriate for the occasion, and acceptable locally.

16. Why is it worth making the effort to be well dressed?

¹⁶ It is not always easy to find modest and appropriate clothing. Many stores sell only popular fashions. So it may take more time and effort to find modest skirts, dresses, and blouses or to select suits and trousers that are not too tight. But our brothers and sisters will notice and appreciate our efforts to wear clothing that is attractive and appropriate. And the satisfaction we have of bringing glory to our loving heavenly Father more than makes up for any sacrifices that we may make to dress so as to glorify him.

17. What are some factors that may affect whether a brother wears a beard?

¹⁷ Is it appropriate for brothers to wear a beard? The Mosaic Law required men to wear a beard. However, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law or required to follow it. (Leviticus 19:27; 21:5; Galatians 3:24, 25) In some cultures, a neatly trimmed beard may be acceptable and respectable, and it may not at all prevent people from listening to our message. In fact, some appointed brothers have beards. Even so, some brothers might decide not to wear a beard. (1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 10:32) In other cultures or locations, beards are not the custom and are not considered acceptable for Christian ministers. In fact, having one may prevent a brother from bringing glory to God and from being “irreprehensible.”​—1 Timothy 3:2, 7; Romans 15:1-3.

18, 19. How does Micah 6:8 help us?

¹⁸ How grateful we are that Jehovah does not give us long lists of what is acceptable dress and grooming and what is not. Instead, he has given us the freedom to make reasonable personal decisions based on Bible principles. So even when we make decisions about our dress and grooming, we can show that we want to be modest as we serve our God.​—Micah 6:8.

¹⁹ We modestly recognize that Jehovah is pure and holy and that his standards are the best guide for us. If we want to be modest and humble, we will follow his standards in our life. Modesty will also help us to respect the feelings and opinions of others.

20. What effect should our dress and grooming have on others?

²⁰ Our clothing should show very clearly that we are Jehovah’s servants. Jehovah has high standards, and we are happy to follow them. Our brothers and sisters in general are to be commended for their appearance and good conduct, which attract sincere people to the Bible’s lifesaving message and bring glory and joy to Jehovah. When we make wise decisions about what to wear, we will continue to bring glory to the One who clothes himself “with majesty and splendor.”​—Psalm 104:1, 2.

1, 2. What may young servants of Jehovah wonder at times, and what advice does the Bible offer?

A CLASSMATE told a young sister in Britain: “You seem to be too clever to believe in God.” A brother in Germany wrote: “My teachers view the Bible account of creation as a myth. And they take it for granted that the students believe in evolution.” A young sister in France said: “Teachers in my school are quite astonished that there are students who still believe in the Bible.”

² Many people today do not believe that God created us. If you are a young servant of Jehovah or are learning about him, you may at times wonder how you can prove that he is our Creator. The Bible helps us to think carefully about what we hear or read and to reason on it. God’s Word says: “Thinking ability will keep watch over you.” How? It will help you to reject ideas that are not true and to strengthen your faith in Jehovah.​—Read Proverbs 2:10-12.

3. What will we discuss in this article?

³ To have strong faith in Jehovah, we must get to know him well. (1 Timothy 2:4) So when you read the Bible and our publications, it is very important to stop and think about what is being said. Try to understand what you are reading. (Matthew 13:23) If you study in this way, you will find much evidence that Jehovah is our Creator and that the Bible is from him. (Hebrews 11:1) Let us discuss how we can do this.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

4. In what way is believing in evolution similar to believing in creation? So, what must all of us do?

⁴ Someone might say to you, “I believe in evolution because scientists have said that it is true. How can you believe in God when nobody has seen him?” Many people think this way. True, none of us have seen God or observed something being created. (John 1:18) But what about people who believe in evolution? They too believe in something they cannot see. No scientist or any other human has observed one kind of life evolve into another kind. For example, no one has watched a reptile evolve into a mammal. (Job 38:1, 4) So all of us must look at the facts, think about these carefully, and decide what they really prove. Many people have looked at things in nature and “perceived” that there is a God. They have “clearly seen” that he is the Creator, that he is powerful, and that he has many wonderful qualities.​—Romans 1:20.

5. What research tools can help us learn more about creation?

⁵ When we look at nature and think deeply about it, we can see that everything is made in an amazing way. “By faith we perceive” that there is a Creator, even though he is invisible. We realize that he has a beautiful personality and great wisdom. (Hebrews 11:3, 27) We can learn more about the things he created by reading about what scientists have discovered. Some of that information can be found in research tools such as the video The Wonders of Creation Reveal God’s Glory, the brochures Was Life Created? and The Origin of Life​—Five Questions Worth Asking, and the book Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? In the Awake! magazine, there are often interviews with scientists and others who explain why they now believe in God. And the series of articles called “Was It Designed?” includes details about animals and other things in nature as well as examples of how scientists have tried to copy the way these things work.

6. How can research tools help you?

⁶ A brother in the United States who is 19 years old said about the two brochures just mentioned: “These have been invaluable to me. I’ve studied those brochures about a dozen times.” A sister in France wrote: “The ‘Was It Designed?’ articles amaze me! They show that the greatest engineers may imitate but will never equal the complex designs in nature.” The parents of a 15-year-old girl in South Africa said: “The first thing that our daughter usually reads in Awake! is the ‘Interview’ article.” These publications can help you as well to see proof that there is a Creator, and you will be able to recognize and reject false teachings. Your faith will be so strong that you will be just like a tree that has deep roots and that stays standing in strong winds.​—Jeremiah 17:5-8.

YOUR FAITH IN THE BIBLE

7. Why does God want you to use your power of reason?

⁷ Is it wrong to ask questions such as, ‘Why do I believe what the Bible says?’ Not at all. Jehovah does not want you to believe something just because others do. He wants you to use your “power of reason” to get to know the Bible and find proof that it truly is from him. The more you know what it says, the stronger your faith in it will be. (Read Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Timothy 2:4.) One way to get to know the Bible is by studying specific subjects that you would like to know more about.

8, 9. (a) What subjects do some enjoy studying? (b) How did some benefit when they meditated on what they read?

⁸ Some enjoy studying Bible prophecies. Or they may like to compare Bible accounts with what historians, scientists, or archaeologists say. Take, for example, Genesis 3:15. Jehovah gave that very important prophecy just after Adam and Eve rebelled against him and his way of ruling. It is the first of many Bible prophecies that help us to understand how God’s Kingdom will prove that God’s way of ruling is best and how it will end all suffering. How could you study Genesis 3:15? You could make a list of Bible verses that give more details about how this prophecy would be fulfilled. Next, you could find out when those verses were written and put them in order. Soon you will realize that those Bible writers lived at different periods of time but that each wrote something that made the prophecy clearer and clearer. This can help you prove that Jehovah’s holy spirit guided them.​—2 Peter 1:21.

⁹ A brother in Germany thought about how each book of the Bible contains details about the Kingdom. He said: “That is so, even though about 40 men wrote the Bible. And many of them lived at different times and did not know one another personally.” A sister in Australia was studying an article in The Watchtower and learned how the Passover is connected to Genesis 3:15 and the Messiah.^[1] (See endnote.) She wrote: “That study opened my eyes to how wonderful Jehovah is. For someone to have thought of this arrangement for the Israelites and for it to be fulfilled in Jesus really impressed me. I literally had to stop and contemplate how incredible that prophetic Passover meal was!” Why did this sister feel that way? She thought deeply about what she read and understood it. This helped to strengthen her faith and drew her closer to Jehovah.​—Matthew 13:23.

10. How does the honesty of Bible writers strengthen our faith in the Bible?

¹⁰ Think, too, about the honesty of the men who wrote the Bible. They always told the truth and were not afraid to do so. Writers at that time often wrote only good things about their nation and their leaders. But Jehovah’s prophets wrote not only about the good things but also about the bad things that the people of Israel and their kings did. (2 Chronicles 16:9, 10; 24:18-22) They even mentioned their own mistakes and those of other servants of God. (2 Samuel 12:1-14; Mark 14:50) “Honesty like that is rare,” said a young brother in Britain. “This adds to our confidence that the Bible truly is from Jehovah.”

11. How can the guidance we find in the Bible convince us that the Bible is from God?

¹¹ When people let the Bible guide the way they live, they see the good effect it has. This convinces them that the Bible is from God. (Read Psalm 19:7-11.) A young sister in Japan wrote: “When my family applied Bible teachings, we were truly happy. We experienced peace, unity, and love.” The Bible has helped many to realize that some of the things they believed were not true. (Psalm 115:3-8) It guides people to rely on Jehovah, who is the almighty God, and it promises a better future. On the other hand, some who say that there is no God actually make nature into a sort of god. Others say that humans can provide a better future, but when we look at what they have done so far, they have not been able to solve the problems in the world.​—Psalm 146:3, 4.

HOW TO REASON WITH OTHERS

12, 13. How can we talk to others about creation or the Bible?

¹² When you talk about creation or the Bible with others, first find out what they really believe. Remember that some who believe in evolution also believe that God exists. They say that he used evolution to create all living things. Others believe that evolution must be true because it is taught in schools. And some stop believing in God because they are disappointed with religion. So first ask the person what he believes and why he believes that. Then listen carefully to what he says. If you do, he may be more willing to listen to you.​—Titus 3:2.

¹³ If someone says that you are foolish to believe that there is a Creator, how could you reply? Respectfully ask the person to explain to you how he thinks life began. You could mention that if life had evolved, the first living thing would have needed to be able to make copies of itself. In fact, one professor of chemistry said that it would have needed, among other things, (1) something like a skin to protect it, (2) the ability to get energy and use it, (3) information to control its appearance and growth, and (4) the ability to make copies of that information. He added: “One is struck by the complexity of even the simplest form of life.”

14. What simple reasoning could you use when discussing creation?

¹⁴ When discussing creation, you could use the simple reasoning that the apostle Paul used. He wrote: “Every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4) Of course, a literal house is designed and built by someone. Surely, living things, which are much more complicated than a house, must have been designed and made by someone. You could also use our publications. One sister spoke with a young man who did not believe that there is a God. She gave him the two brochures mentioned earlier, and about a week later, he said, “Now I believe in God.” The young man started to study the Bible and later became one of our brothers.

15, 16. What should we do before we explain to someone that the Bible is from God? And what should we always remember?

¹⁵ If someone has doubts about the Bible, how can you reason with him? As mentioned before, first ask him what he believes. Also, find out what he is interested in. (Proverbs 18:13) If he likes science, give him examples from the Bible to show that what it says about scientific matters is always correct. If he likes history, you could mention an event described in history books and show him how the Bible foretold the event many years before it happened. Other people may listen to you if you show them something in the Bible that can improve their life, such as the advice found in the Sermon on the Mount.

¹⁶ Remember, we do not want to argue with people. We want them to enjoy talking to us and learning about the Bible. So ask questions respectfully, and then listen carefully. When you express what you believe to someone, be polite, especially if the person is older than you are. If you respect others, they will likely respect you too. And they will be impressed that you have thought deeply about what you believe even though you are still young. Of course, if someone just wants to argue or make fun of you, you do not need to answer him.​—Proverbs 26:4.

DISCOVER BIBLE TRUTHS AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

17, 18. (a) What can help you to strengthen your faith in the Bible? (b) What question will we consider in the next article?

¹⁷ We may know the main teachings of the Bible, but we need more than that to have strong faith. We need to search for and discover the deeper truths in it, as if we were looking for hidden treasures. (Proverbs 2:3-6) One of the best ways to strengthen your faith is to read the entire Bible. Perhaps you could try to read it in one year. That helped a circuit overseer draw closer to Jehovah when he was young. He said: “One thing that helped me to appreciate that the Bible is the Word of God was reading it right through. The Bible stories that I had learned from when I was very young finally made sense to me.” Also, use the research tools that you have in your language to help you understand what you read. You might have Watchtower Library on DVD, Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY, Watch Tower Publications Index, or the Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

¹⁸ Parents, more than anyone else, you can teach your children about Jehovah. So how can you help them to have strong faith in him? The next article will discuss some ways you can do this.

1, 2. (a) Why is it not easy for parents to teach children to have faith in Jehovah, and what is the only way parents can do this? (b) What four points will we now discuss?

A MOTHER and father in France said: “We believe in Jehovah, but that does not necessarily mean that our children will believe. Faith is not something you inherit. Our children acquire it little by little.” A brother in Australia wrote: “Helping to build faith in your child’s heart is probably the greatest challenge you will ever face.” He added: “You may feel that you have dealt with a question to your child’s satisfaction. Then you find that he raises the same question again later! The answers that satisfy your child’s curious mind today may not be enough for him tomorrow.” As children grow older, many parents find that they need to explain the same subjects again in more detail. And they find that they need to use various methods to teach their children to love Jehovah.

² If you are a parent, do you at times wonder whether you will really be able to teach your children to love Jehovah and to keep serving him even when they grow up? Actually, none of us can do this by ourselves. (Jeremiah 10:23) That is why we need to rely on Jehovah to help us. He has given parents much guidance. How can you help your children? (1) Get to know them well. (2) Teach them the things about Jehovah that are in your heart. (3) Use illustrations. (4) Pray for holy spirit and be patient with your children.

KNOW YOUR CHILDREN WELL

3. How can parents imitate the way Jesus taught his disciples?

³ Jesus often asked his disciples what they believed. (Matthew 16:13-15) You can imitate his example. While you are chatting with your children or doing something together, ask them what they think and let them tell you how they really feel. Do they perhaps have any doubts? A 15-year-old brother in Australia said: “Dad often talks with me about my faith and helps me to reason. He asks: ‘What does the Bible say?’ ‘Do you believe what it says?’ ‘Why do you believe it?’ He wants me to answer in my own words and not simply repeat his or Mum’s words. As I got older, I had to expand on my answers.”

4. Why is it important to be patient and answer your children’s questions? Give an example.

⁴ If your children do not immediately believe something the Bible teaches, be patient. Help them to find the answers to their questions. One father said: “Take your child’s questions seriously. Do not dismiss them as of little importance, and do not avoid a subject simply because it may make you feel uncomfortable.” In fact, it is good that your children ask you questions, because it means that they want to understand. Even Jesus asked questions when he was young. (Read Luke 2:46.) A young person in Denmark said: “When I said that I wondered if we had the true religion, my parents took it calmly​—even though they may have been worried about me. They answered all my questions, using the Bible.”

5. Even if children seem to have faith in Jehovah, what should parents do?

⁵ Get to know your children well. Do not think that they have faith in Jehovah just because they go out preaching and go to the meetings. How do they really feel about Jehovah, and what do they think about the Bible? Do your best to find out if there is something that makes it difficult for them to stay faithful to Jehovah. Talk about him every day when you are doing things with your children. Pray for your children, both when you are with them and when you are on your own.

TEACH THEM THE THINGS ABOUT JEHOVAH THAT ARE IN YOUR HEART

6. When parents continue to learn about Jehovah and the Bible, how does this help them to teach their children?

⁶ People enjoyed listening to Jesus because he loved Jehovah and knew the Scriptures well. They also felt that Jesus loved them. So they listened carefully to him. (Luke 24:32; John 7:46) In a similar way, when your children see that you love Jehovah, this helps them to love him too. (Read Deuteronomy 6:5-8; Luke 6:45.) So continue to study the Bible carefully, and read our publications regularly. Get to know more about the things Jehovah has created. (Matthew 6:26, 28) The more you know about Jehovah, the more you can teach your children about him.​—Luke 6:40.

7, 8. Whenever you learn something about Jehovah, what can you do? How have some parents done this?

⁷ When you learn something about Jehovah, tell your children about it. Do this anytime you are with them, not only when preparing for meetings or during family worship. This is what one mother and father in the United States do. They talk about Jehovah with their children when they see something beautiful in nature or when they are enjoying a delicious meal. They said: “We remind our children of the love and forethought that Jehovah put into everything he provided for us.” A couple in South Africa like to talk about creation when they work in their garden with their two daughters. For example, they might mention how amazing it is that a seed becomes a plant. The parents said: “We try to develop in our daughters a great respect for life and its wonderful complexity.”

⁸ A father in Australia took his son, who was about ten years old, to a museum. The father decided to use this time to help his son strengthen his faith and see proof that Jehovah is the Creator. He said: “We saw a display of ancient sea creatures called ammonoids and trilobites. It struck us that these extinct animals were beautiful, complex, and complete​—no less so than what we can see today. So if life evolved from simple to more complex forms, why were these ancient creatures already so complex? It was a lesson that deeply impressed me and that I shared with my son.”

USE ILLUSTRATIONS

9. Why is it good to use illustrations? What illustration did one mother use?

⁹ Jesus often used illustrations. He taught important lessons by telling a story or giving an example. (Matthew 13:34, 35) When you use illustrations, you let your children use their imagination. This will help them to think about the lesson you are teaching them, to understand it clearly, and to remember it. They will also enjoy learning. For example, a mother in Japan wanted her two boys to learn that the way Jehovah made the earth’s atmosphere shows how much he cares about us. One boy was eight years old and the other was ten. So she used an illustration that they could understand at their age. She gave the boys milk, sugar, and coffee. Then she asked each of the boys to make her a cup of coffee. “They took great care,” she explained. “When I asked them why they were so careful, they said that they wanted the coffee to be just the way I like it. I explained that God mixed the gases in the atmosphere with similar care​—just right for us.” The boys had fun learning this lesson, and they never forgot it!

10, 11. (a) What illustration could you use to show your children that there must be a Creator? (See opening picture.) (b) What illustrations have you used?

¹⁰ What illustration could you use to show your children that there must be a Creator? You could bake a cake with your child using a recipe. Explain why it is important to follow the recipe exactly. Then give your child an apple or some other fruit, and ask: “Did you know that this apple has a recipe?” Next, cut the apple in two, and give him a seed. Explain that the seed is like a recipe. It contains instructions on how to make an apple. But these are much more complex than the instructions for making a cake. You might ask: “Someone wrote the recipe for the cake. So who wrote the recipe for the apple?” If the children are older, you could explain that even the instructions for making an apple tree that can produce more apples are found in the DNA inside the seed. You might also show them some of the pictures and examples on pages 10 to 20 of our brochure The Origin of Life​—Five Questions Worth Asking.

¹¹ Many parents read the articles in the Awake! series “Was It Designed?” with their children. If their children are very young, the parents can explain the information in a simple way. For example, a couple in Denmark compared airplanes to birds. They said: “Airplanes look just like birds. But can airplanes lay eggs and hatch small airplanes? Do birds need special landing strips? And how would you compare the sound of an airplane to the singing of a bird? So who is more intelligent​—the maker of airplanes or the Creator of birds?” When you reason with your children and ask questions, you help them to use their “thinking ability” and to strengthen their faith in Jehovah.​—Proverbs 2:10-12.

12. How can you use illustrations to teach your children that whatever the Bible says is correct?

¹² You can use illustrations to teach your children that whatever the Bible says is correct. For example, you could read Job 26:7. (Read.) Do not just tell your children that the information in this verse must have come from Jehovah. Instead, help them to use their imagination. You could say that people in Job’s time may not have believed that the earth is floating in space. They knew that any object, like a ball or a stone, has to rest on something. At that time, nobody had yet proved that the earth is floating in space, since there were no telescopes or spaceships. The lesson is that even though the Bible was written a long time ago, it is always correct because it is from Jehovah.​—Nehemiah 9:6.

TEACH THEM WHY IT IS GOOD TO BE GUIDED BY THE BIBLE

13, 14. How might parents teach their children to obey what the Bible says?

¹³ It is also important to teach your children that they will be happiest when they obey what the Bible says. (Read Psalm 1:1-3.) For example, you could ask your children to imagine that they are going to live on an island. They have to choose some people to live there with them. Then you could ask, “What kind of people would you take with you if you wanted everyone to get along well?” Finally, you could read Galatians 5:19-23 to see the kind of people Jehovah wants in the new world.

¹⁴ In this way, you could teach your children two important lessons. First, Jehovah is teaching us how to live a happy life now and have peace with other people. Second, he is teaching us how to live in the new world. (Isaiah 54:13; John 17:3) You could also show your children how the Bible has helped our brothers. For example, find a life story in one of our publications, perhaps from the series “The Bible Changes Lives” in The Watchtower. Or ask someone from your congregation to tell you and your children how the Bible helped him to make big changes to please Jehovah.​—Hebrews 4:12.

15. What will help you to teach your children?

¹⁵ Use your imagination to make the lessons you teach your children interesting and exciting. Think of different ways to help them enjoy learning about Jehovah and draw closer to him. And keep doing this as they grow older. “Never tire of experimenting with new ways to approach old subjects,” said one father.

PRAY FOR JEHOVAH’S SPIRIT AND BE PATIENT WITH YOUR CHILDREN

16. When teaching children, why is it important to be patient? How have some parents been patient?

¹⁶ With the help of Jehovah’s spirit, your children can have strong faith. (Galatians 5:22, 23) But it will take time for their faith to become strong. So be patient with your children, and keep on teaching them. “My wife and I simply gave our children a lot of attention,” said a father in Japan who has a son and daughter. “From the time they were very young, I studied with them for 15 minutes every day, except on days when we had Christian meetings. Fifteen minutes was not too hard for us or for them.” A circuit overseer wrote: “As a teenager, I had many more questions or doubts than I ever put into words. Over time, many of these were addressed at meetings or during family or personal study. That’s why it’s important for parents just to keep teaching.”

17. Why is it important that parents strengthen their own faith? How do a mother and father in Bermuda help their daughters have faith in Jehovah?

¹⁷ Of course, your children can learn much when they see that you have strong faith in Jehovah. They will observe what you do. So keep strengthening your own faith. Let your children see how real Jehovah is to you. For example, when a mother and father in Bermuda are worried about something, they pray with their daughters and ask Jehovah to guide them. They also encourage their children to pray on their own. “We also tell our older daughter, ‘Have complete trust in Jehovah, keep busy in Kingdom service, and do not worry too much.’ When she sees the outcome, she knows that Jehovah is helping us. This has done wonders for her faith in God and in the Bible.”

18. What should parents not forget?

¹⁸ Parents, never forget that you cannot force your children to have faith. You plant and water, but only Jehovah can make it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6) So work hard to teach your precious children about him, and pray for his spirit to help them have faith. You can be sure that Jehovah will bless all your hard work.​—Ephesians 6:4.

What is “the word of God” that Hebrews 4:12 says “is alive and exerts power”?

The context helps us to understand that Paul was talking about God’s message regarding his purpose, such as we find in the Bible.

We often mention Hebrews 4:12 in our publications to show that the Bible has power to change lives, and that is correct. However, it is helpful to understand what Paul was discussing when he wrote the words of Hebrews 4:12. He was encouraging the Hebrew Christians to cooperate with God’s purposes. Many of those purposes were found in the holy writings. Paul used as an example the Israelites whom God freed from Egypt. They had the hope of going into the promised “land flowing with milk and honey,” where they could enjoy true rest.​—Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 12:9, 10.

This was God’s purpose. But the Israelites rejected Jehovah’s direction and did not exercise faith, so most of them did not enter into that rest. (Numbers 14:30; Joshua 14:6-10) However, Paul added that there was still “a promise of entering into [God’s] rest.” (Hebrews 3:16-19; 4:1) That “promise” clearly is part of what God has revealed about his purpose. Like the Hebrew Christians, we can read about and cooperate with that purpose. To emphasize that this promise is based on the Scriptures, Paul quoted parts of Genesis 2:2 and Psalm 95:11.

It touches our hearts that “a promise of entering into [God’s] rest remains.” We trust that what the Bible teaches about entering into God’s rest is really possible, and we have taken steps to enter it. We do not do this by trying to follow the Mosaic Law or by doing good things just to get Jehovah’s approval. Rather, because of our faith in God, we have happily cooperated with his purpose and continue to do so. Thousands of people around the world have also begun to study the Bible and to learn what God has revealed about his purpose. This has motivated many of them to change their way of life, to show faith, and to get baptized. The way they are being affected is clear proof that “the word of God is alive and exerts power.” What God has revealed in the Bible about his purpose has already affected our life, and it will continue to exert power in our life.