1. How could the selfish attitude of the world affect our humility?

WHY is it difficult to apply what we learn from God’s Word? One reason is that to do what is right, we need to be humble. In these “last days,” it is hard to stay humble, because many people around us are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty,” and “without self-control.” (2 Timothy 3:1-3) As God’s servants, we know this kind of behavior is bad, but it may seem that those who act this way are successful and are truly enjoying their lives. (Psalm 37:1; 73:3) We may even wonder: ‘Is it really worth the effort to put the needs of others ahead of my own? Will people still respect me if I act in a humble way?’ (Luke 9:48) If we allow the world’s selfish attitude to influence us, we could harm our good relationships with our brothers and make it difficult for others to recognize that we are Christians. But when we study the examples of humble servants of God and imitate them, we will have good results.

2. What can we learn from faithful servants of God in the past?

² What helped faithful servants of God in the past to be his friends? How did they please him? Where did they find the strength to do what was right? When we read about their examples in the Bible and meditate on what we read, our faith will become stronger.

WHAT KEEPS OUR FAITH STRONG

3, 4. (a) How does Jehovah teach us? (b) Why do we need more than knowledge to keep our faith strong?

³ Jehovah provides what we need to keep our faith strong. We receive good counsel and training from the Bible, our Christian publications, our website, JW Broadcasting, and our meetings and assemblies. But Jesus explained that we need something more than knowledge. He said: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”​—John 4:34.

⁴ Doing God’s will was like food for Jesus. Eating healthful food makes us feel good and nourishes our body. In a similar way, doing God’s will makes us feel good and nourishes our faith. For example, have you ever gone to a meeting for field service feeling tired but then returned home after service feeling happy and refreshed?

5. How do we benefit from being wise?

⁵ When we do what Jehovah asks us to do, we are wise. (Psalm 107:43) And many good things happen to those who have wisdom. “Nothing you desire can compare to it. . . . It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, and those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy.” (Proverbs 3:13-18) Jesus said: “If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.” (John 13:17) Jesus’ disciples would be happy as long as they kept doing what Jesus told them to do. Following his teachings and example became their way of life.

6. Why do we need to continue to apply what we learn?

⁶ Today, we too need to continue to apply what we learn. Think of a mechanic who has tools, materials, and knowledge. Those things will help him to be a good mechanic only if he uses them. He may have years of experience, but he needs to keep using what he has learned if he still wants to be a good mechanic. In a similar way, when we first learned the truth, we were happy because we applied what we read in the Bible. But to have lasting happiness, we must continue to apply every day what Jehovah teaches us.

7. What must we do to learn from Bible examples?

⁷ In this article, we will discuss some situations in which it may be difficult for us to stay humble. We will learn how faithful ones in the past remained humble. But we must do more than just read the information. We must think about it and then apply it in our life.

VIEW OTHERS AS EQUALS

8, 9. What do we learn about Paul’s humility from Acts 14:8-15? (See opening picture.)

⁸ God wants all sorts of people to “be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) How do you view all those people who have not yet learned the truth? The apostle Paul preached to Jewish people who already knew something about Jehovah. But he also preached to those who worshipped false gods. Preaching to them tested Paul’s humility. How?

⁹ On Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas went to the city of Lystra. The Lycaonian people who lived there treated Paul and Barnabas like superheroes and called them by the names of their false gods Zeus and Hermes. Were Paul and Barnabas flattered? Did they view this as a pleasant change from the persecution they experienced in the last two cities they visited? Did they think that all this attention would help more people to hear the good news? No! They were very upset and cried out: “Why are you doing these things? We too are humans having the same infirmities as you have.”​—Acts 14:8-15.

10. Why did Paul and Barnabas not feel superior to the Lycaonians?

¹⁰ When Paul and Barnabas said that they too were humans, they meant that they were imperfect. They did not mean that their way of worship was the same as that of the Lycaonians. Paul and Barnabas were sent by God as missionaries. (Acts 13:2) They had been anointed with holy spirit and had a wonderful hope. But that was no reason for them to feel superior. They realized that those people could also receive the heavenly hope if they accepted the good news.

11. How can we be humble like Paul when we are preaching?

¹¹ Here is one way that we show we are humble like Paul. We never feel that our assignment of preaching or the things Jehovah helps us accomplish make us special. We can ask ourselves: ‘How do I feel about those in my territory? Am I prejudiced toward certain groups of people?’ All over the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to find those who will listen to the good news. Some even make the effort to learn the language or the customs of people whom others view as inferior. But they never feel that they are better than those they preach to. Instead, they try to understand each person in order to help as many as possible accept the Kingdom message.

PRAY FOR OTHERS BY NAME

12. How did Epaphras show that he truly cared about others?

¹² Another way that we show we are humble is by praying for our brothers and sisters, who have already “acquired a faith as precious as ours.” (2 Peter 1:1) This is what Epaphras did. The Bible mentions him only three times. When Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he wrote to the Christians in Colossae, saying about Epaphras: “He is always exerting himself in your behalf in his prayers.” (Colossians 4:12) Epaphras knew the brothers well, and he cared for them deeply. Paul called him a “fellow captive,” so Epaphras had problems of his own. (Philemon 23) But he still cared about the needs of others, and he did something to help them. Epaphras prayed for his brothers and sisters, and we can do the same, even mentioning their names. Such prayers are very powerful.​—2 Corinthians 1:11; James 5:16.

13. How could you imitate Epaphras when you pray?

¹³ Think about someone you can pray for by name. You may know of friends in the congregation or families who are dealing with challenges. Perhaps they have difficult decisions to make or temptations to resist. You can also pray for brothers whose names are in the jw.org article “Jehovah’s Witnesses Imprisoned for Their Faith.” (Look under NEWSROOM > LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS.) You can also pray for those who have lost loved ones in death, those who have survived recent disasters or wars, and those who have financial problems. There are so many brothers and sisters who need our prayers! When we pray for them, we prove that we are thinking not only about our own needs but also about the needs of others. (Philippians 2:4) Jehovah hears such prayers.

“BE QUICK TO LISTEN”

14. How is Jehovah the best listener?

¹⁴ Another way that we show we are humble is by being a good listener. James 1:19 tells us to “be quick to listen.” Jehovah is the best listener. (Genesis 18:32; Joshua 10:14) For example, read the conversation found at Exodus 32:11-14. (Read.) Even though he did not need Moses’ opinion, Jehovah allowed Moses to express how he felt. Would you listen patiently to someone who has been wrong in the past and then follow his suggestion? Yet, Jehovah listens patiently to all humans who pray with faith.

15. How can we imitate Jehovah by giving honor to others?

¹⁵ Ask yourself: ‘If Jehovah is so humble that he can listen to people the way he listened to Abraham, Rachel, Moses, Joshua, Manoah, Elijah, and Hezekiah, should I not try to do the same? Can I give more honor to all my brothers by listening to them and following their suggestions when possible? Is there someone in my congregation or in my family to whom I could give more attention? What am I going to do about that?’​—Genesis 30:6; Judges 13:9; 1 Kings 17:22; 2 Chronicles 30:20.

“PERHAPS JEHOVAH WILL SEE MY AFFLICTION”

16. How did King David react when Shimei treated him badly?

¹⁶ Humility also helps us to show self-control when others treat us badly. (Ephesians 4:2) We see an excellent example of that at 2 Samuel 16:5-13. (Read.) Shimei, a relative of King Saul, insulted and attacked David and his servants. David could have stopped Shimei, but instead he patiently endured his insults. How did David manage to have such self-control? We can find out by examining the third Psalm.

17. What helped David to have self-control, and how can we imitate him?

¹⁷ David composed the third Psalm when his son Absalom was trying to kill him. It was during this time that Shimei attacked David, but David found the strength to remain calm. How? At Psalm 3:4, we read David’s words: “I will call aloud to Jehovah, and he will answer me from his holy mountain.” When we are treated badly, we need to pray as David did. Then Jehovah will give us his holy spirit so that we can endure. Could you have more self-control or be more forgiving when someone treats you badly? Are you confident that Jehovah cares about your suffering and will help and bless you?

“WISDOM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING”

18. How will we benefit from applying Jehovah’s instruction?

¹⁸ When we do what we know is right, we will be wise and Jehovah will bless us. At Proverbs 4:7, the Bible says: “Wisdom is the most important thing.” Although wisdom is based on knowledge, it involves more than understanding facts. Wisdom involves the decisions we make. Even ants show wisdom by storing food for the winter. (Proverbs 30:24, 25) Christ, who is called “the wisdom of God,” always does what pleases his Father. (1 Corinthians 1:24; John 8:29) God will reward us when we too show wisdom by choosing to do what we know is right and remaining humble. (Read Matthew 7:21-23.) So keep working to make the congregation a place where all can serve Jehovah humbly. It takes time and patience to apply what we know is right. But doing so shows humility, and humility will make us happy now and forever.

1. What important subject did Jesus discuss on his last night with his disciples?

ON HIS last night with his disciples before he died, Jesus mentioned love almost 30 times. He told his disciples they should “love one another.” (John 15:12, 17) Their love would be so remarkable that others would notice it and know that they were true followers of Christ. (John 13:34, 35) The love that Jesus talked about is not mere sentiment; it is a powerful and self-sacrificing quality. Jesus said: “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends. You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.”​—John 15:13, 14.

2. (a) What are God’s servants known for today? (b) What questions will we answer in this article?

² Jehovah’s servants today are known for their genuine, self-sacrificing love and strong unity. (1 John 3:10, 11) It does not matter what nationality or tribe we belong to, what language we speak, where we come from, or how we were raised. All around the world, Jehovah’s servants truly love one another. Why is love so necessary today? How do Jehovah and Jesus build us up with love? And how can we show this love to comfort and strengthen others?​—1 Corinthians 8:1.

WHY LOVE IS SO NECESSARY NOW

3. How do these “critical times” affect people?

³ We live in “critical times,” and life is “filled with trouble and sorrow.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Psalm 90:10) Many people are suffering so much that they feel like giving up. More than 800,000 people, one person every 40 seconds, commit suicide every year. Sadly, even some of our brothers have experienced these feelings and have taken their own life.

4. Which Bible characters at one time felt that they wanted to die?

⁴ In Bible times, some of God’s faithful servants felt so bad because of their problems that they wanted to die. For example, Job was in such pain that he said: “I loathe my life; I do not want to go on living.” (Job 7:16; 14:13) Jonah felt so disappointed that he said: “Now, O Jehovah, please take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3) The prophet Elijah felt so hopeless that he said: “It is enough! Now, O Jehovah, take my life away.” (1 Kings 19:4) But Jehovah loved these loyal servants and wanted them to live. He did not condemn how they felt. Instead, he helped them regain their desire to live so that they could keep serving him faithfully.

5. Why do our brothers and sisters really need our love now?

⁵ Today, many of our brothers and sisters are dealing with stressful situations and need our love. Some are being mocked or persecuted. Others have to endure bullying or gossip at their workplace. Or they are exhausted because they have to work long hours or have very stressful jobs. Still others have serious family problems. Perhaps they are married to someone who does not serve Jehovah and who constantly criticizes them. Because of these and other pressures, many feel that they have no energy left and may even begin to doubt their own value. Who can help them?

JEHOVAH’S LOVE STRENGTHENS US

6. How does Jehovah’s love strengthen his servants?

⁶ Jehovah reassures his servants that he loves them now and will love them forever. Imagine how the Israelites felt when Jehovah told them: “You became precious in my eyes, you were honored, and I have loved you,” and “Do not be afraid, for I am with you”! (Isaiah 43:4, 5) We know that each of us is precious to Jehovah.a (See footnote.) The Bible promises: “As a mighty One, he will save. He will exult over you with great joy.”​—Zephaniah 3:16, 17.

7. How is Jehovah’s love like that of a nursing mother? (See opening picture.)

⁷ Jehovah promises to strengthen and comfort his people no matter what problems they have. He said: “You will nurse and be carried on the hip, and you will be bounced on the knees. As a mother comforts her son, so I will keep comforting you.” (Isaiah 66:12, 13) Think how safe a baby feels when his mother carries him or plays with him! Jehovah deeply loves you and wants you to feel safe. Never doubt that you are very precious to Jehovah.​—Jeremiah 31:3.

8, 9. How can Jesus’ love strengthen us?

⁸ Here is another reason why we know that Jehovah loves us: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus’ sacrifice proves that he too loves us, and this love strengthens us. The Bible says that not even “tribulation or distress” can “separate us from the love of the Christ.”​—Romans 8:35, 38, 39.

⁹ At times, we have problems that weaken us physically or emotionally or that take away our joy in serving Jehovah. But remembering how much Christ loves us can give us the strength to endure. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.) Jesus’ love gives us the desire to keep living and serving Jehovah. It can help us not to give up, even if we suffer from disasters, persecution, disappointments, or anxiety.

OUR BROTHERS NEED OUR LOVE

10, 11. Who have the responsibility to build up discouraged brothers? Explain.

¹⁰ Jehovah also uses the congregation to build us up with his love. When we love our brothers and sisters, we prove our love for Jehovah. We do everything we can to help our brothers know that they are valuable and that Jehovah loves them. (1 John 4:19-21) The apostle Paul wrote: “Keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) It is not only the elders who can do this. Each one of us can imitate Jehovah and Jesus by giving comfort to our brothers and sisters.​—Read Romans 15:1, 2.

¹¹ Some in the congregation who suffer because of severe depression or anxiety may need professional help and medication. (Luke 5:31) Elders and others in the congregation realize that although they are not trained doctors, the help and comfort they can offer are very important. All in the congregation can “speak consolingly to those who are depressed, support the weak, be patient toward all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) We want to try to understand how our brothers feel. We need to be patient with them and speak in a way that will comfort them when they are discouraged. Do you try to strengthen others? What can you do to be even more comforting and encouraging?

12. Give an example of someone who was encouraged by the love in her congregation.

¹² A sister in Europe says: “At times I have suicidal thoughts, but I have a good support system. The congregation I belong to has saved my life. The brothers and sisters are always very encouraging and loving. Although only a few know that I suffer from depression, the congregation is always there for me. One married couple are like my spiritual parents. They take good care of me, and they are there for me literally 24 hours a day.” Of course, not everyone can help to the same extent. But we can all do much to support our brothers and sisters.b (See footnote.)

HOW TO BUILD OTHERS UP WITH LOVE

13. What do we need to do to comfort others?

¹³ Be a good listener. (James 1:19) We show love when we listen with empathy. Ask kind questions that can help you to understand how your brother feels. He will know that you really care, even from the expression on your face. While he is talking, be patient and allow him to express himself without interrupting him. By being a good listener, you can understand him better and can help him to trust you. Then it will be easier for him to listen to what you say as you try to help him. When you really care for others, you can be very comforting to them.

14. Why must we not be critical?

¹⁴ Do not be critical. A depressed person will only feel worse if he thinks we are criticizing him. Then it can be very difficult for us to help him. “Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is a healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) Even though we would never intentionally harm a depressed person with our words, we can still cause much pain when we speak without thinking. To reassure our brother, we must make him feel convinced that we are really trying to understand his situation.​—Matthew 7:12.

15. What valuable tool can we use to comfort others?

¹⁵ Use God’s Word to comfort others. (Read Romans 15:4, 5.) The Bible comes from “the God who supplies endurance and comfort,” so it is no surprise that we find much comfort in its words. We also have the Watch Tower Publications Index and the Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Using these tools, we can find scriptures and publications that we can use to comfort and encourage our brothers and sisters.

16. What qualities will help us encourage someone who is depressed?

¹⁶ Be tender and gentle. Jehovah is “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort,” and he has “tender compassion” for his servants. (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-6; Luke 1:78; Romans 15:13) Paul set a good example in this because he imitated Jehovah. He wrote: “We became gentle in your midst, as when a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. So having tender affection for you, we were determined to impart to you, not only the good news of God but also our very selves, because you became so beloved to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8) When we are tender like Jehovah, we may provide the comfort our brother is praying for!

17. What realistic view of our brothers will help us to encourage them?

¹⁷ Do not expect your brothers to be perfect. Be realistic. If you expect your brothers to be perfect, you will be disappointed. (Ecclesiastes 7:21, 22) Remember that Jehovah is realistic in what he expects of us. So we need to be patient with one another. (Ephesians 4:2, 32) We never want to make our brothers feel that they are not doing enough or to compare them with others. Instead, we encourage them and point out the good things they are doing. This can help them to be happy as they serve Jehovah.​—Galatians 6:4.

18. Why do we want to build others up with love?

¹⁸ Every one of Jehovah’s servants is precious to him and to Jesus. (Galatians 2:20) We love our brothers and sisters deeply, so we must treat them tenderly. We “pursue the things making for peace and the things that build one another up.” (Romans 14:19) How we look forward to life in Paradise, when no one will have any reason to be discouraged! There will be no more sickness and no more war. People will no longer die of inherited sin, and there will be no more persecution, family problems, or disappointments in life. At the end of the thousand years, all humans will be perfect. Those who stay faithful in the final test will be adopted by Jehovah as his sons on earth and will have “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21) So may we all show love that builds up and help one another to survive into God’s wonderful new world.

WHEN you want to know what time it is, what do you do? You probably look at your watch or a clock. You may see that it is one hour and 30 minutes after noon. What would you tell a friend if he asked you, “What time is it?”

That depends on where you live. For example, you might say, “It is 1:30” or “It is 13:30.” In some places you might even say, “It is half two,” meaning 30 minutes before two.

How did people tell time back in Bible times? They also had more than one way. The Hebrew Scriptures use expressions such as “morning,” “noon,” “midday,” and “evening.” (Genesis 8:11; 19:27; 43:16; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 18:26) But sometimes the Bible uses more precise terms.

In ancient Israel, it was common to have watchmen, especially during the night. The Israelites divided the night into three parts, which they called “watches.” (Psalm 63:6) In Judges 7:19, we read about “the middle night watch.” By the time Jesus was born, the Jews divided the night into four watches, as the Greeks and the Romans did.

The Gospels mention these night watches many times. For example, “in the fourth watch of the night,” Jesus walked on water toward the boat where his disciples were. (Matthew 14:25) And Jesus said in an illustration: “If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into.”​—Matthew 24:43.

Jesus mentioned all four watches when he told his disciples to be alert because they “do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or before dawn or early in the morning.” (Mark 13:35; footnote) The first of those watches, “late in the day,” was from sunset till about nine o’clock in the evening. The second, the “midnight” watch, was from about nine o’clock in the evening till midnight. The third watch, “before dawn,” or “when the rooster crows,” was from midnight to about three o’clock in the morning. It was probably during this watch that the rooster crowed on the night that Jesus was arrested. (Mark 14:72) The fourth watch, “early in the morning,” was from about three o’clock in the morning to sunrise.

So even though people back then did not have clocks or watches like the ones we have today, they had a way of telling what time it was.

1. Why are Jehovah’s Witnesses a happy people? (See opening picture.)

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES are a happy people. Whenever they are together, whether at a meeting, an assembly, or a social gathering, they are talking and laughing with one another. Why are they so happy? It is mainly because they know Jehovah, “the happy God.” They serve him and try to imitate him. (1 Timothy 1:11; Psalm 16:11) Jehovah is the Source of happiness, so he wants us to be happy, and he gives us many reasons to be joyful.​—Deuteronomy 12:7; Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13.

2, 3. (a) What does it mean to be happy? (b) Why may it be difficult to be happy?

² What about you? Are you happy? To be happy means to feel good, to be content with your life or very joyful. The Bible shows that those who are blessed by Jehovah can be truly happy. But then why may it be difficult to be happy in today’s world?

³ It can be difficult to be happy when we experience stressful situations, such as when someone we love dies or is disfellowshipped, when our marriage ends in divorce, or when we lose our job. It can also be difficult to be happy when there is no peace at home because of constant fighting, when our workmates or classmates mock us, or when we are persecuted or put in prison because we serve Jehovah. Or our health may deteriorate, we may develop a chronic illness, or we may suffer from depression. But remember that Jesus Christ, “the happy and only Potentate,” or Ruler, loved to comfort people and to make them happy. (1 Timothy 6:15; Matthew 11:28-30) In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus mentioned some qualities that can help us to be happy even when we have many problems because we are living in Satan’s world.

WE CANNOT BE HAPPY WITHOUT JEHOVAH

4, 5. What can we do to be happy and stay happy?

⁴ The first thing that Jesus mentioned is especially important. He said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:3) If we are conscious of our spiritual need, we recognize that we need to know God and that we need his help and direction. How do we show that? By studying the Bible, obeying God, and making his worship the most important thing in our life. Doing these things will help us to be happy. Our faith that God’s promises will soon come true will be stronger. And “the happy hope” that we find in the Bible will encourage us.​—Titus 2:13.

⁵ If we want to be happy no matter what happens in our life, we must continue strengthening our friendship with Jehovah. The apostle Paul wrote: “Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) To be a close friend of Jehovah, we need to have divine wisdom. God’s Word says: “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who acquires discernment. It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, and those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy.”​—Proverbs 3:13, 18.

6. What else must we do to stay happy?

⁶ But for us to stay happy, it is very important that we continue to apply what we learn from the Bible. Jesus emphasized how important this is when he said: “If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.” (John 13:17; read James 1:25.) This is essential if we want to satisfy our spiritual need and stay happy. But how can we be happy when there are so many things that can take our happiness away? Let us see what Jesus said next in the Sermon on the Mount.

QUALITIES THAT MAKE US HAPPY

7. How can those who mourn be happy?

⁷ “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) We might wonder, ‘How can those who mourn be happy?’ Jesus was not talking about everybody who mourns. Many wicked people mourn, or are sad, because they experience distressing problems in these “last days” that are so “hard to deal with.” (2 Timothy 3:1) But they are thinking only about themselves and not about Jehovah, so they do not develop a friendship with him, and they cannot be happy. Jesus was talking about those who are conscious of their spiritual need. They mourn because they see that so many people have rejected God or are not living the way God wants. They also recognize that they are sinful, and they see the terrible things happening in this world. Jehovah notices those who sincerely mourn, comforts them through his Word, and gives them happiness and life.​—Read Ezekiel 5:11; 9:4.

8. How can being mild-tempered help you to be happy?

⁸ “Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) How can being mild-tempered help you to be happy? Many people are rude and aggressive, which can lead to many problems. But when they learn the truth, they change and put on “the new personality.” Now they show “the tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:9-12) As a result, they have peace, they have good relationships with others, and they are happy. Also, God’s Word promises that they will “inherit the earth.”​—Psalm 37:8-10, 29.

9. (a) What did Jesus mean when he said that the mild-tempered will “inherit the earth”? (b) Why can “those hungering and thirsting for righteousness” be happy?

⁹ What did Jesus mean when he said that the mild-tempered will “inherit the earth”? The anointed will inherit the earth when they rule over it as kings and priests. (Revelation 20:6) Millions of others who do not have the heavenly hope will inherit the earth when they are allowed to live forever on it. They will be perfect and will have peace and happiness. These people are also the ones of whom Jesus said: “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness.” (Matthew 5:6) Their desire for righteousness will be satisfied when Jehovah removes all wickedness. (2 Peter 3:13) In the new world, righteous people will be happy and will never again mourn because of the bad things wicked people do.​—Psalm 37:17.

10. What does it mean to be merciful?

¹⁰ “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) To be merciful means to be warm, tender, and compassionate, that is, to feel pity for those who suffer. However, mercy is more than a tender feeling. The Bible teaches that being merciful includes doing something to help others.

11. What does the illustration of the neighborly Samaritan teach us?

¹¹ Read Luke 10:30-37. Jesus’ illustration of the neighborly Samaritan paints a beautiful picture of what it means to be merciful. The Samaritan felt compassion and pity for the man who was suffering, and this moved him to help the man. After Jesus gave that illustration, he said: “Go and do the same yourself.” So we may ask ourselves: ‘Am I doing the same? Am I doing what the neighborly Samaritan did? When others suffer, can I do something to help them? For example, can I help older ones in the congregation, widows, or children whose parents do not serve Jehovah? Can I “speak consolingly to those who are depressed” to comfort them?’​—1 Thessalonians 5:14; James 1:27.

12. Why are we happy when we are merciful?

¹² Why are we happy when we are merciful? When we show mercy to others, we are giving, and Jesus said that giving makes us happy. Another reason is that we know we are pleasing Jehovah. (Acts 20:35; read Hebrews 13:16.) King David said about the one who shows mercy: “Jehovah will guard him and keep him alive. He will be pronounced happy in the earth.” (Psalm 41:1, 2) If we show mercy and compassion toward others, we will also receive Jehovah’s mercy and we can be happy forever.​—James 2:13.

WHY “THE PURE IN HEART” ARE HAPPY

13, 14. Why is it important to be “pure in heart”?

¹³ Jesus said: “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) To be pure in heart, we have to keep our thoughts and desires pure, or clean. This is very important if we want Jehovah to accept our worship.​—Read 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Timothy 1:5.

¹⁴ Those who are pure in heart can have a good relationship with Jehovah, who said: “Happy are those who wash their robes.” (Revelation 22:14) What does it mean that they “wash their robes”? For anointed Christians, it means that Jehovah views them as clean, he will give them immortal life in heaven, and they will be happy forever. For the great crowd, who hope to live on earth, it means that Jehovah allows them to be his friends because he views them as righteous. The Bible says that “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”​—Revelation 7:9, 13, 14.

15, 16. How can the pure in heart “see God”?

¹⁵ Jehovah said: “No man can see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20) How, then, can the pure in heart “see God”? The Greek word that is translated “see” can mean to imagine, to understand, or to know. So to “see God” means to understand the kind of Person he is and to love his qualities. (Ephesians 1:18) Jesus imitated God’s qualities perfectly, so he could say: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father also.”​—John 14:7-9.

¹⁶ In addition, we “see God” when we experience how he helps us in our life. (Job 42:5) We can also “see,” or focus on, the wonderful things Jehovah promises to do for those who stay pure and serve him loyally. And the anointed will literally see Jehovah when they are resurrected and go to heaven.​—1 John 3:2.

WE CAN BE HAPPY EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE PROBLEMS

17. Why are the peacemakers happy?

¹⁷ Jesus next said: “Happy are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9) When we take the initiative to make peace with others, we can be happy. The disciple James wrote: “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.” (James 3:18) So if you are struggling to get along with someone in your congregation or in your family, beg Jehovah to help you be a peacemaker. Then, Jehovah will give you his holy spirit, which will help you to show Christian qualities, and you will be happier. Jesus emphasized how important it is to take the initiative to make peace when he said: “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away. First make your peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift.”​—Matthew 5:23, 24.

18, 19. Why can Christians rejoice even if they are persecuted?

¹⁸ “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.” What did Jesus mean? He added: “Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.” (Matthew 5:11, 12) When the apostles were beaten and commanded to stop preaching, “they went out from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing.” Of course, they did not enjoy being beaten. But they were happy “because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored” for Jesus’ name.​—Acts 5:41.

¹⁹ Today, Jehovah’s people also endure with joy when they are persecuted because of Jesus’ name. (Read James 1:2-4.) Like the apostles, we do not enjoy suffering or being persecuted. But if we remain faithful to Jehovah, he will give us the courage we need to endure. Consider what happened to Henryk Dornik and his brother. In August 1944, they were sent to a concentration camp. Their persecutors said: “It is impossible to persuade them to do anything. Their martyrdom brings them joy.” Henryk explained: “Although I had no desire to be a martyr, suffering with courage and dignity for my loyalty to Jehovah did bring me joy.” He added: “Fervent prayers drew me closer to Jehovah, and he proved to be a reliable Helper.”

20. Why are we happy to serve “the happy God”?

²⁰ When Jehovah, “the happy God,” is pleased with us, we can be happy even if we are persecuted, if our family opposes us, if we get sick, or if we grow old. (1 Timothy 1:11) We can also be happy because our God, “who cannot lie,” has promised us many wonderful things. (Titus 1:2) When Jehovah fulfills his promises, we will not even remember the problems that we have now. In fact, we cannot even imagine how wonderful life will be in Paradise and how happy we will be! Yes, we “will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”​—Psalm 37:11.

1, 2. (a) How is the way Jehovah treats people different from the way powerful humans treat them? (b) What will we discuss in this article?

POWERFUL people often dominate others or even oppress them. (Matthew 20:25; Ecclesiastes 8:9) Jehovah never does that! Even though he is the Almighty, the most powerful Person in the universe, he is very considerate of imperfect humans. He is kind and cares about our feelings and our needs. He remembers that we are imperfect and knows our limitations, so he never asks us to do more than we are able to do.​—Psalm 103:13, 14.

² In the Bible, we learn how considerate Jehovah is of his people. Let us discuss three examples: First, how Jehovah kindly helped young Samuel to deliver a judgment message to High Priest Eli. Second, how Jehovah was patient with Moses when Moses felt that he could not lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt. And third, how Jehovah was considerate of the Israelites as they left Egypt. What do we learn about Jehovah from these examples, and how can we imitate him?

CONSIDERATE OF A BOY

3. What unusual thing happened to young Samuel one night, and what question might we ask? (See opening picture.)

³ Samuel started to serve at the tabernacle when he was very young. (1 Samuel 3:1) One night, after he went to sleep, something very unusual happened.a (See footnote.) (Read 1 Samuel 3:2-10.) He heard someone calling his name. Samuel thought that it was the aged High Priest Eli. So he obediently got up and ran to Eli and said: “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli told him: “I did not call.” After the same thing happened two more times, Eli realized that it was God who was calling Samuel. So Eli told Samuel what to say the next time, and Samuel obeyed. Why did Jehovah not tell Samuel from the beginning that He was the one calling him? The Bible does not say. But it is possible that Jehovah did things that way because he cared about Samuel’s feelings.

4, 5. (a) What did Samuel do when Jehovah gave him a message to deliver to Eli? (b) What does this account teach us about Jehovah?

⁴ Read 1 Samuel 3:11-18. Jehovah’s Law commanded children to respect older people, especially those who had authority. (Exodus 22:28; Leviticus 19:32) So it is hard to imagine that a young boy like Samuel would go to Eli in the morning and boldly tell him God’s strong judgment message. The Bible tells us that Samuel “was afraid to tell Eli of the vision.” However, God made it clear to Eli that He was calling Samuel. As a result, Eli asked Samuel not to hide anything that God had said. Samuel obeyed Eli and “told him everything.”

⁵ This message was not completely unexpected. Earlier “a man of God” had given Eli a similar message. (1 Samuel 2:27-36) This account teaches us how considerate and wise Jehovah is.

6. What lessons can we learn from the way God helped young Samuel?

⁶ Are you a young person? If so, the account about young Samuel shows that Jehovah understands your problems and your feelings. Maybe you are shy and find it hard to preach to adults or to be different from people your age. You can be sure that Jehovah wants to help you. So pray to him and tell him exactly how you feel. (Psalm 62:8) Think deeply about examples in the Bible of young ones like Samuel. And talk to brothers and sisters your age or older who may have overcome problems similar to yours. They may tell you about times when Jehovah helped them, perhaps in ways they did not expect.

CONSIDERATE OF MOSES

7, 8. How did Jehovah show that he cared very much about Moses’ feelings?

⁷ When Moses was 80 years old, Jehovah gave him a very difficult assignment: to free the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 3:10) This assignment was probably a shock for Moses, because he had been a shepherd in Midian for 40 years. Moses said: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Jehovah reassured Moses: “I will prove to be with you.” (Exodus 3:11, 12) Jehovah also promised him that the elders of Israel would “certainly listen” to him. Still, Moses asked: “Suppose they do not believe me and do not listen?” (Exodus 3:18; 4:1) Moses was actually saying that Jehovah could be wrong! But Jehovah was patient with Moses. He even gave him the power to perform miracles. In fact, Moses was the first human mentioned in the Bible to have this power.​—Exodus 4:2-9, 21.

⁸ Even after all of that, Moses had another excuse. He said that he could not speak well. So God told him: “I will be with you as you speak, and I will teach you what you should say.” Was Moses finally convinced? No, he asked God to send someone else! Then Jehovah became angry. But he still cared about Moses’ feelings, so he sent Aaron to speak for Moses.​—Exodus 4:10-16.

9. How did Jehovah’s patience and kindness help Moses to be a good leader?

⁹ What does this account teach us about Jehovah? Because Jehovah is the Almighty, he could have used his power to frighten Moses and make him obey. Instead, Jehovah was patient and kind, and he assured his modest and humble servant that he would be with him. Did that method work? Yes, it did! Moses became a great leader of God’s people. He tried to be mild and considerate toward others, just as Jehovah was toward him.​—Numbers 12:3.

10. How do we benefit when we are considerate to others as Jehovah is?

¹⁰ What are the lessons for us today? If you are a husband, a parent, or an elder, you have some authority over others. For this reason, it is very important that you imitate Jehovah by being considerate, kind, and patient with your wife, your children, and those in the congregation. (Colossians 3:19-21; 1 Peter 5:1-3) If you imitate Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, the Greater Moses, you will make it easy for others to come and talk to you, and you will be encouraging to them. (Matthew 11:28, 29) You will also be a good example for them.​—Hebrews 13:7.

A POWERFUL BUT CONSIDERATE SAVIOR

11, 12. How did Jehovah make the Israelites feel safe and secure when he led them out of Egypt?

¹¹ There may have been more than three million Israelites who left Egypt in the year 1513 before Christ. In that group were children, older ones, and probably some who were sick or disabled. Such a huge group of people needed a caring and understanding Leader. And that is exactly what Jehovah was by means of Moses. As a result, the Israelites felt safe as they left the only home they had ever known.​—Psalm 78:52, 53.

¹² How did Jehovah make his people feel safe and secure? He organized the nation of Israel into “battle formation” when they left Egypt. (Exodus 13:18) Because they were organized in this way, they could clearly see that their God was in control of the situation. Jehovah also gave them “a cloud by day” and “the light of a fire” at night to remind them that he was with them, guiding them and protecting them. (Psalm 78:14) And the nation of Israel needed that reassurance because of what happened next.

13, 14. (a) How did Jehovah care for the Israelites at the Red Sea? (b) How did Jehovah show that he was much more powerful than the Egyptians?

¹³ Read Exodus 14:19-22. Imagine that you are there with the Israelites. You are trapped. The Egyptian army is behind you, and the Red Sea is in front of you. Then God acts. The pillar of cloud that used to be in front of you moves to the back of the camp, between you and the Egyptians. Now they are in the dark, but your camp is full of miraculous light! Then you see Moses stretch out his hand over the sea, and a strong east wind comes, opening a wide path to the other side. So you, your family, and your animals all walk onto the seabed in an organized way with the rest of the people. You are amazed that the ground is not muddy and slippery. It is dry and quite firm, so it is easy to walk on. As a result, even the slowest ones are able to arrive safely at the other side.

¹⁴ Read Exodus 14:23, 26-30. While all of this is happening, Pharaoh, who is proud and foolish, starts chasing you and your fellow Israelites. Then Moses stretches out his hand over the sea again, and the two walls of water collapse. The water crashes onto Pharaoh and his army. None of them survive!​—Exodus 15:8-10.

15. What does this account teach you about Jehovah?

¹⁵ This account teaches us something else about Jehovah. He is a God of order, and this quality helps us to feel safe and secure. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Like a shepherd who loves and looks after his sheep, Jehovah cares for his people in practical ways. He keeps them safe and protects them from their enemies. This reassures and comforts us very much as we get closer to the end of this system.​—Proverbs 1:33.

16. How can we benefit from reviewing the way Jehovah saved the Israelites?

¹⁶ Today, Jehovah still cares for his people as a group. He helps them to keep their good relationship with him and protects them from their enemies. And he will keep doing so during the great tribulation that is coming very soon. (Revelation 7:9, 10) So whether they are young or old, healthy or disabled, God’s people will not panic or be terrified during the great tribulation.b (See footnote.) In fact, they will do the complete opposite! They will remember Jesus’ words: “Stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:28) Even when they are attacked by Gog, a group of nations that is much more powerful than Pharaoh, God’s people will be confident that Jehovah will protect them. (Ezekiel 38:2, 14-16) Why? Because they know that Jehovah does not change. He will again prove that he is a loving and caring Savior of his people.​—Isaiah 26:3, 20.

17. (a) How can we benefit when we study Bible accounts about the way Jehovah cares for his people? (b) What will we discuss in the next article?

¹⁷ In this article, we have seen some examples of how Jehovah is considerate and kind when he cares for, directs, and saves his people. As you meditate on such accounts, try to learn something new about Jehovah by looking for details you may not have noticed before. As you learn more about Jehovah’s beautiful qualities, your love for him and your faith in him will become stronger. In the next article, we will learn about ways we can imitate Jehovah by being considerate of those in our family, in the congregation, and in the ministry.

1. How do Jehovah’s worshippers show that they love one another?

JEHOVAH’S worshippers all over the world are part of a family. They are brothers and sisters who love one another. (1 John 4:16, 21) Sometimes they make big sacrifices for their brothers, but most of the time they show their love by the many little things they do for them. For example, they may say something nice to their brothers or treat them kindly. When we are considerate to others, we imitate our heavenly Father.​—Ephesians 5:1.

2. How did Jesus imitate the love of his Father?

² Jesus imitated his Father perfectly. He always treated others kindly. He said: “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you.” (Matthew 11:28, 29) When we imitate Jesus and show “consideration to the lowly one,” we will make Jehovah happy, and we will be happy too. (Psalm 41:1) In this article, we will see how we can be considerate of our family members, our brothers and sisters, and those we meet in the ministry.

BE CONSIDERATE IN THE FAMILY

3. How can a husband be considerate of his wife? (See opening picture.)

³ Husbands need to set the example and show how much they care for their family. (Ephesians 5:25; 6:4) The Bible says that husbands must be considerate and understanding of their wives. (1 Peter 3:7; footnote) An understanding husband knows that although he is different from his wife in many ways, he is not better than she is. (Genesis 2:18) He is considerate of her feelings and treats her with dignity and honor. A wife in Canada says about her husband: “He never belittles my feelings or says, ‘You should not feel that way.’ He is also a good listener. When he helps me to adjust my viewpoint on a matter, he does so with kindness.”

4. How can a husband show that he is considerate of his wife’s feelings by the way he treats other women?

⁴ A husband who is considerate of his wife’s feelings never flirts with other women or shows an improper interest in them, whether in person, on social media, or on the Internet. (Job 31:1) He does not use social media to flirt, and he does not view improper websites. Yes, he remains loyal to his wife because he loves her and because he loves Jehovah and hates what is bad.​—Read Psalm 19:14; 97:10.

5. How can a wife be considerate of her husband?

⁵ When a husband imitates the loving example of his head, Jesus Christ, it will be easier for his wife to have “deep respect” for him. (Ephesians 5:22-25, 33) And when she respects him, she will try to understand his feelings and treat him kindly when he is busy with congregation matters or when he has to deal with problems. A husband in Britain says: “On occasion, my wife will discern from a change in my demeanor that something is bothering me. Then she will apply the principle found at Proverbs 20:5, even when this means waiting for the right time to ‘draw out’ my thoughts if it is a matter that I am free to discuss with her.”

6. How can all of us encourage children to think of others and to be kind, and how will children benefit?

⁶ When parents treat each other in a considerate way, they set a good example for their children. They also need to teach their children to think of others and to be kind. For example, parents can teach their children not to run in the Kingdom Hall. Or when they are at a social gathering, they can tell their children to wait for older ones to get their food first. Of course, everyone in the congregation can support the parents. So we should commend a child when he does something thoughtful, for example, when he opens the door for us. This will make the child feel good and will help him learn that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”​—Acts 20:35.

BE CONSIDERATE IN THE CONGREGATION

7. How was Jesus considerate of a deaf man, and what can we learn from Jesus’ example?

⁷ One day, Jesus was in the area of the Decapolis when people “brought him a deaf man with a speech impediment.” (Mark 7:31-35) Jesus healed him, but not in front of others. Why not? Because the man was deaf, he probably felt uncomfortable in large crowds. Jesus understood his feelings, and he “took him aside” to a place where there were no people around and healed him there. Of course, we cannot perform miracles, but we should think about the needs and feelings of our brothers and be kind to them. The apostle Paul wrote: “Let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works.” (Hebrews 10:24) Jesus understood how the deaf man felt and treated him kindly. What a good example for us!

8, 9. How can we show that we care about the elderly and those with disabilities? (Give examples.)

⁸ Be considerate of the elderly and those with disabilities. The most important characteristic of the Christian congregation is love, not efficiency. (John 13:34, 35) Love makes us do all we can to help our brothers and sisters who are older or have disabilities to get to the meetings and to preach. We help them even if it is not convenient for us or even if they cannot do very much. (Matthew 13:23) Michael, who is in a wheelchair, is very grateful for the help he gets from his family and the brothers in his congregation. He says: “Because of the help they all give me, I am able to attend most meetings and to share regularly in the ministry. I especially like public witnessing.”

⁹ In many Bethel homes, there are faithful brothers and sisters who are elderly or have disabilities. Caring overseers show love to them by arranging for them to preach by writing letters and using the telephone. Bill, who is 86 years old and writes to people in faraway areas, says: “We appreciate the privilege of being able to write letters.” Nancy, who is almost 90, comments: “I don’t view letter writing as just stuffing envelopes. This is field service. People need to know the truth!” Ethel, who was born in 1921, says: “Pain is a part of my life. Some days I have a hard time just getting dressed.” Even so, she enjoys preaching using the telephone and has some good return visits. Barbara, who is 85 years old, explains: “Because of my poor health, I find regular field service very difficult. But phone witnessing enables me to speak to others. Thank you, Jehovah!” In less than a year, a group of precious older ones spent 1,228 hours in the ministry, wrote 6,265 letters, made over 2,000 phone calls, and placed 6,315 publications! We can be sure that their efforts made Jehovah very happy!​—Proverbs 27:11.

10. How can we help our brothers to benefit as much as possible from the meetings?

¹⁰ Be considerate at Christian meetings. When we are considerate, we help our brothers to benefit as much as possible from the meetings. How? One way is to arrive on time so that we do not distract them. Sometimes, unexpected things may make us late. But if we are often late, we should think about how this affects our brothers and about what changes we can make to show that we care about them. Remember, too, that it is Jehovah and his Son who invite us to the meetings. (Matthew 18:20) We should certainly show our respect for them by being on time!

11. Why should brothers who have parts on a meeting follow the direction found at 1 Corinthians 14:40?

¹¹ If we are considerate of our brothers, we will follow the Bible’s direction: “Let all things take place decently and by arrangement.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) Brothers who have parts on a meeting follow this direction when they finish on time. In this way, they are considerate not only of the next speaker but also of the entire congregation. Think of how others might be affected if the meeting finishes late. Some brothers need to drive a long way to return to their home. Others need to catch a bus or a train. And some have unbelieving mates who expect them home at a certain time.

12. Why do elders deserve our respect and love? (See the box “Be Considerate of Those Taking the Lead.”)

¹² Elders work hard in the congregation and in the ministry, so they deserve our respect and love. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.) Surely you are very thankful for all they do for you. You can show this by willingly obeying and supporting them, because “they are keeping watch over you as those who will render an account.”​—Hebrews 13:7, 17.

BE CONSIDERATE IN THE MINISTRY

13. What can we learn from the way Jesus treated people?

¹³ In a prophecy about Jesus, Isaiah said: “No crushed reed will he break, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish.” (Isaiah 42:3) The love Jesus had for people made him have empathy. He understood the feelings of those who felt discouraged and weak like a “crushed reed” or a “smoldering wick,” so he treated them kindly and patiently. Even children wanted to be with Jesus. (Mark 10:14) Of course, we cannot understand or teach people the way Jesus did! But we can show we are considerate of those in our territory by how we speak to them, when we do so, and how long we stay.

14. Why should we think about how we speak to people?

¹⁴ How should we speak to people? Millions of people today have been “skinned and thrown about” by the corrupt and cruel business, political, and religious leaders of this world. (Matthew 9:36) As a result, many do not trust anyone and have no hope. That is why the words we use and our tone of voice need to show them that we are kind and that we care for them! Many people want to listen to our message not only because we use the Bible well but also because we are genuinely interested in them and show respect for them.

15. What are some ways we can be considerate of the people in our territory?

¹⁵ There are many ways we can be considerate of the people in our territory. We need to ask questions in a kind and respectful way. One pioneer served in a territory where many people were shy, so he avoided questions that would make them feel embarrassed if they did not know the right answer. He would not ask, “Do you know God’s name?” or “Do you know what God’s Kingdom is?” Instead, he would say something like, “I have learned from the Bible that God has a personal name. May I show you what that name is?” This method does not apply everywhere, because people and cultures are different. But we should always treat people in our territory in a kind and respectful way. To do this, we need to get to know them well.

16, 17. How can we show kindness when deciding (a) what time to visit people? (b) how long we will talk to them?

¹⁶ When should we visit people? When we go from door to door, people are not expecting us because they did not invite us. It is very important, then, that we visit them at a time when they may be more willing to talk. (Matthew 7:12) For example, do people in your territory like to sleep longer on weekends? Then perhaps you can start your ministry by doing street work, public witnessing, or return visits on people you know will be available to talk.

¹⁷ How long should we stay? Many people are very busy, so it may be good to keep our visits brief, especially in the beginning. It is better to finish our conversation quickly than to stay too long. (1 Corinthians 9:20-23) When people see that we understand that they are busy, they may be more willing to talk to us the next time we see them. If we display the qualities that come from God’s spirit, we will truly become “God’s fellow workers.” Jehovah may even use us to help someone learn the truth!​—1 Corinthians 3:6, 7, 9.

18. When we are considerate of others, what blessings can we hope to receive?

¹⁸ So let us do all we can to be considerate of our family members, our brothers and sisters, and those we meet in the ministry. Then, we will have many blessings, both now and in the future. As Psalm 41:1, 2 says: “Happy is anyone who shows consideration to the lowly one; Jehovah will rescue him in the day of calamity. Jehovah will guard him and keep him alive. He will be pronounced happy in the earth.”