Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
When Suffering Will Be No More
SUFFERING was not part of God’s original purpose for the human family. He did not design it, nor does he want it. ‘If that is so,’ you may ask, ‘how did it start, and why has God allowed it to continue till now?’—Compare James 1:13.
The answer is found in the earliest record of man’s history, the Bible, particularly the book of Genesis. It says that our first parents, Adam and Eve, followed Satan the Devil in his rebellion against God. Their actions raised fundamental issues that struck at the very foundation of universal law and order. When they claimed the right to decide for themselves what was good and what was bad, they challenged God’s sovereignty. They questioned his right to rule and to be the sole arbiter of “good and bad.”—Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-5.
Why Not Immediately Enforce His Will?
‘Why, then, did God not immediately enforce his will?’ you may ask. To many, the matter seems so simple. ‘God had the power. He should have used it to destroy the rebels,’ they say. (Psalm 147:5) But ask yourself this, ‘Do I unhesitatingly applaud all who use superior power to enforce their will? Do I not instinctively feel a sense of revulsion when a dictator uses death squads to eliminate his enemies?’ Most reasonable people recoil at such a thing.
‘Ah,’ you say, ‘but if God wielded that power, no one would question his actions.’ Are you sure? Is it not true that people do question God’s exercise of power? They question why he has not used it at times, as in his tolerance of evil. And they question why he has used it at other times. Even faithful Abraham had a problem with God’s use of power against His enemies. Remember when God decided to destroy Sodom. Abraham mistakenly feared that good people would die with the bad. He cried out: “It is unthinkable of you that you are acting in this manner to put to death the righteous man with the wicked one.” (Genesis 18:25) Even right-minded people like Abraham need assurance that absolute power will not be abused.
Of course, God could instantly have destroyed Adam, Eve, and Satan. But think how that could have affected the other angels or future creations, who might later become aware of his actions. Might this leave them with nagging questions about the rightness of God’s rule? Would it not expose God to the charge that he was, in fact, some kind of totalitarian despot, as Nietzsche described him, a God who ruthlessly eliminates anyone who opposes him?
Why Not Make People Do What Is Right?
‘Could not God just make people do what is right?’ some may ask. Well, consider this also. All through history, governments have tried to make people conform to their way of thinking. Some governments or individual rulers have practiced various forms of mind control, perhaps using drugs or surgery, robbing their victims of the wonderful gift of free will. Do we not treasure being free moral agents, even if that gift is open to abuse? Do we condone any government’s or ruler’s attempts to take that away?
What alternative was there, then, to God’s immediate use of power to enforce the law? Jehovah God determined that the rebellion would best be dealt with by allowing a temporary period of independence from his rule for those who rejected his laws. This would allow the human family, descended from Adam and Eve, a limited time in which to govern themselves without being subject to God’s law. Why did he do this? Because he knew that, in time, incontrovertible evidence would build up, proving that his way of ruling is always right and just, even when he uses his limitless power to enforce his will, and that any rebellion against him will result, sooner or later, in calamity.—Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 34:10-12; Jeremiah 10:23.
What About All the Innocent Victims?
‘In the meantime, what about all the innocent victims?’ you may ask. ‘Is it really worth their pain to prove some point of law?’ Well, God has not allowed evil to exist just to prove some obscure point of law. On the contrary, it is to establish once and for all the fundamental truth that he alone is sovereign and that obedience to his laws is essential for the continued peace and happiness of all his creations.
One crucial thing to keep in mind is that God knows that he can undo completely any harm that this may bring to the human family. He knows that in the long term, the temporary period of pain and suffering will have a beneficial outcome. Think of the mother who holds her child firmly while the doctor inflicts the pain of injecting a vaccine to give protection against some disease that would otherwise kill the child. No mother wants her child to feel pain. No doctor wants to cause distress to his patient. At the time, the child does not appreciate the reason for the pain, but later he will understand why it was permitted.
Real Solace to Those Suffering?
Some may feel that just knowing these things may be of little solace to those who are suffering. Hans Küng makes the point that a rational explanation for the existence of suffering is “about as helpful to the sufferer as a lecture on the chemistry of foodstuffs to a starving man.” He asks: “Can all the shrewd reasoning really give new heart to man, almost overwhelmed by suffering?” Well, all the “shrewd reasoning” of men who ignore God’s Word, the Bible, has not given heart to those who are suffering. Such human reasoning has only added to the problem by suggesting that God meant for man to suffer and that the earth was designed as a valley of tears or a testing ground for those who will eventually gain life in heaven. What a blasphemy!
Yet, the Bible itself does give real solace. It not only provides a consistent explanation for the existence of suffering but also builds confidence in God’s sure promise that he will undo all the harm that this temporary permission of suffering has caused.
The “Restoration of All Things”
Very soon now God will restore things to the way he meant them to be before his first human creations rebelled. His appointed time for man’s independent rule has nearly run out. We are living at the time when he will send forth “Jesus, whom heaven, indeed, must hold within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time.”—Acts 3:20, 21.
What will Jesus Christ do? He will rid the earth of all God’s enemies. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) This will be no summary execution, such as is meted out by human dictators. The mountain of evidence proving the catastrophic consequences of man’s misrule will show that God is fully justified in soon using his limitless power to enforce his will. (Revelation 11:17, 18) Initially this will mean “tribulation” such as the earth has never experienced before, similar to but much greater than the Flood of Noah’s day. (Matthew 24:21, 29-31, 36-39) Those who survive this “great tribulation” will experience “seasons of refreshing” when they see the fulfillment of all God’s promises given “through the mouth of his holy prophets.” (Acts 3:19; Revelation 7:14-17) What has God promised?
Well, God’s prophets of old say that there will be an end to the suffering caused by war and bloodshed. For example, Psalm 46:9 tells us: “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” No more innocent victims and tragic refugees, those raped, crippled, and killed in cruel wars! Says the prophet Isaiah: “Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2:4.
The prophets also foretell an end to the suffering caused by crime and injustice. Proverbs 2:21, 22 promises that “the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth” and that those who cause pain and suffering “will be torn away from it.” No longer will ‘man dominate man to his injury.’ (Ecclesiastes 8:9) All the wicked will be removed forever. (Psalm 37:10, 38) Everyone will be able to live in peace and security, free from suffering.—Micah 4:4.
Moreover, the prophets also promise that there will be an end to suffering caused by physical and emotional maladies. (Isaiah 33:24) Isaiah promises that the blind, the deaf, the disabled, and all those afflicted with sickness and disease will be cured. (Isaiah 35:5, 6) God will even reverse the effects of death. Jesus foretold that “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) In his vision of “a new heaven and a new earth,” the apostle John was told that “God himself . . . will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:1-4) Imagine that! No pain, no tears, no outcry, no death—no suffering anymore!
Whatever tragedies may have occurred during this temporary toleration of evil will all be remedied. Even the memories of human pain and suffering—never purposed by God—will be totally erased. “The former distresses will actually be forgotten . . . The former things will not be called to mind,” Isaiah prophesied. (Isaiah 65:16, 17) God’s original purpose for a perfect human family living in total peace and happiness on a paradise earth will be fully realized. (Isaiah 45:18) Confidence in his sovereignty will be absolute. What a privilege to be living at the time when God will end all human suffering, a time when he shows that he is not some kind of “despot, impostor, swindler, executioner,” as Nietzsche charged, but that he is always loving, wise, and just in his exercise of absolute power!
The answer is found in the earliest record of man’s history, the Bible, particularly the book of Genesis. It says that our first parents, Adam and Eve, followed Satan the Devil in his rebellion against God. Their actions raised fundamental issues that struck at the very foundation of universal law and order. When they claimed the right to decide for themselves what was good and what was bad, they challenged God’s sovereignty. They questioned his right to rule and to be the sole arbiter of “good and bad.”—Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-5.
Why Not Immediately Enforce His Will?
‘Why, then, did God not immediately enforce his will?’ you may ask. To many, the matter seems so simple. ‘God had the power. He should have used it to destroy the rebels,’ they say. (Psalm 147:5) But ask yourself this, ‘Do I unhesitatingly applaud all who use superior power to enforce their will? Do I not instinctively feel a sense of revulsion when a dictator uses death squads to eliminate his enemies?’ Most reasonable people recoil at such a thing.
‘Ah,’ you say, ‘but if God wielded that power, no one would question his actions.’ Are you sure? Is it not true that people do question God’s exercise of power? They question why he has not used it at times, as in his tolerance of evil. And they question why he has used it at other times. Even faithful Abraham had a problem with God’s use of power against His enemies. Remember when God decided to destroy Sodom. Abraham mistakenly feared that good people would die with the bad. He cried out: “It is unthinkable of you that you are acting in this manner to put to death the righteous man with the wicked one.” (Genesis 18:25) Even right-minded people like Abraham need assurance that absolute power will not be abused.
Of course, God could instantly have destroyed Adam, Eve, and Satan. But think how that could have affected the other angels or future creations, who might later become aware of his actions. Might this leave them with nagging questions about the rightness of God’s rule? Would it not expose God to the charge that he was, in fact, some kind of totalitarian despot, as Nietzsche described him, a God who ruthlessly eliminates anyone who opposes him?
Why Not Make People Do What Is Right?
‘Could not God just make people do what is right?’ some may ask. Well, consider this also. All through history, governments have tried to make people conform to their way of thinking. Some governments or individual rulers have practiced various forms of mind control, perhaps using drugs or surgery, robbing their victims of the wonderful gift of free will. Do we not treasure being free moral agents, even if that gift is open to abuse? Do we condone any government’s or ruler’s attempts to take that away?
What alternative was there, then, to God’s immediate use of power to enforce the law? Jehovah God determined that the rebellion would best be dealt with by allowing a temporary period of independence from his rule for those who rejected his laws. This would allow the human family, descended from Adam and Eve, a limited time in which to govern themselves without being subject to God’s law. Why did he do this? Because he knew that, in time, incontrovertible evidence would build up, proving that his way of ruling is always right and just, even when he uses his limitless power to enforce his will, and that any rebellion against him will result, sooner or later, in calamity.—Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 34:10-12; Jeremiah 10:23.
What About All the Innocent Victims?
‘In the meantime, what about all the innocent victims?’ you may ask. ‘Is it really worth their pain to prove some point of law?’ Well, God has not allowed evil to exist just to prove some obscure point of law. On the contrary, it is to establish once and for all the fundamental truth that he alone is sovereign and that obedience to his laws is essential for the continued peace and happiness of all his creations.
One crucial thing to keep in mind is that God knows that he can undo completely any harm that this may bring to the human family. He knows that in the long term, the temporary period of pain and suffering will have a beneficial outcome. Think of the mother who holds her child firmly while the doctor inflicts the pain of injecting a vaccine to give protection against some disease that would otherwise kill the child. No mother wants her child to feel pain. No doctor wants to cause distress to his patient. At the time, the child does not appreciate the reason for the pain, but later he will understand why it was permitted.
Real Solace to Those Suffering?
Some may feel that just knowing these things may be of little solace to those who are suffering. Hans Küng makes the point that a rational explanation for the existence of suffering is “about as helpful to the sufferer as a lecture on the chemistry of foodstuffs to a starving man.” He asks: “Can all the shrewd reasoning really give new heart to man, almost overwhelmed by suffering?” Well, all the “shrewd reasoning” of men who ignore God’s Word, the Bible, has not given heart to those who are suffering. Such human reasoning has only added to the problem by suggesting that God meant for man to suffer and that the earth was designed as a valley of tears or a testing ground for those who will eventually gain life in heaven. What a blasphemy!
Yet, the Bible itself does give real solace. It not only provides a consistent explanation for the existence of suffering but also builds confidence in God’s sure promise that he will undo all the harm that this temporary permission of suffering has caused.
The “Restoration of All Things”
Very soon now God will restore things to the way he meant them to be before his first human creations rebelled. His appointed time for man’s independent rule has nearly run out. We are living at the time when he will send forth “Jesus, whom heaven, indeed, must hold within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time.”—Acts 3:20, 21.
What will Jesus Christ do? He will rid the earth of all God’s enemies. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) This will be no summary execution, such as is meted out by human dictators. The mountain of evidence proving the catastrophic consequences of man’s misrule will show that God is fully justified in soon using his limitless power to enforce his will. (Revelation 11:17, 18) Initially this will mean “tribulation” such as the earth has never experienced before, similar to but much greater than the Flood of Noah’s day. (Matthew 24:21, 29-31, 36-39) Those who survive this “great tribulation” will experience “seasons of refreshing” when they see the fulfillment of all God’s promises given “through the mouth of his holy prophets.” (Acts 3:19; Revelation 7:14-17) What has God promised?
Well, God’s prophets of old say that there will be an end to the suffering caused by war and bloodshed. For example, Psalm 46:9 tells us: “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” No more innocent victims and tragic refugees, those raped, crippled, and killed in cruel wars! Says the prophet Isaiah: “Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2:4.
The prophets also foretell an end to the suffering caused by crime and injustice. Proverbs 2:21, 22 promises that “the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth” and that those who cause pain and suffering “will be torn away from it.” No longer will ‘man dominate man to his injury.’ (Ecclesiastes 8:9) All the wicked will be removed forever. (Psalm 37:10, 38) Everyone will be able to live in peace and security, free from suffering.—Micah 4:4.
Moreover, the prophets also promise that there will be an end to suffering caused by physical and emotional maladies. (Isaiah 33:24) Isaiah promises that the blind, the deaf, the disabled, and all those afflicted with sickness and disease will be cured. (Isaiah 35:5, 6) God will even reverse the effects of death. Jesus foretold that “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) In his vision of “a new heaven and a new earth,” the apostle John was told that “God himself . . . will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:1-4) Imagine that! No pain, no tears, no outcry, no death—no suffering anymore!
Whatever tragedies may have occurred during this temporary toleration of evil will all be remedied. Even the memories of human pain and suffering—never purposed by God—will be totally erased. “The former distresses will actually be forgotten . . . The former things will not be called to mind,” Isaiah prophesied. (Isaiah 65:16, 17) God’s original purpose for a perfect human family living in total peace and happiness on a paradise earth will be fully realized. (Isaiah 45:18) Confidence in his sovereignty will be absolute. What a privilege to be living at the time when God will end all human suffering, a time when he shows that he is not some kind of “despot, impostor, swindler, executioner,” as Nietzsche charged, but that he is always loving, wise, and just in his exercise of absolute power!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
When Things Are Not Right
DO YOU agree that things often have gone wrong for mankind? Though some of the calamities that people experience are their own fault, frequently unfortunate circumstances are beyond the control of their victims.
The Scriptures often comment on this situation. To illustrate: “I myself returned that I might see all the acts of oppression that are being done under the sun, and, look! the tears of those being oppressed, but they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, so that they had no comforter.”—Eccl. 4:1.
Why does such a state of affairs exist? Under inspiration of God, a Bible writer known for wisdom laid bare a fundamental reason why things on earth so often run amok. He said: “This is what is calamitous in all that has been done under the sun, that, because there is one eventuality to all, the heart of the sons of men is also full of bad; and there is madness in their heart during their lifetime, and after it—to the dead ones!”—Eccl. 9:3.
The “eventuality” mentioned here is death, the result of inherited sin. (Rom. 5:12, 18; compare Psalm 51:5.) Since the heart of every human is “full of bad,” along with “madness” due to the rule of sin and death in all people, most individuals acquiesce to wrong desires and inclinations without self-restraint. (Rom. 7:14-25) The resultant difficulties affect not only those who are primarily responsible but also innumerable others, including persons who endeavor to live godly lives.
Another reason why things go wrong is that “time and unforeseen occurrence befall” everyone. (Eccl. 9:11) These may strike in the form of serious illness, political upheavals, economic reversals, natural disasters or other things that can change a person’s entire situation in life.
In view of the fact that so many things on earth are not right, what can you do to make life happy and meaningful? Let us consider this matter especially from the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes.
PATIENCE AND HUMILITY
A correct mental attitude is important for coping with things that go wrong. The wise Bible writer declared: “Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning. Better is one who is patient than one who is haughty in spirit. Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.”—Eccl. 7:8, 9.
Those who are quick to take offense and who nurture grudges “in the bosom” give evidence of being haughty. Individuals who are preoccupied with what is going wrong in their lives do not gain happiness from the things that are going well. In the estimation of God, they are “stupid.” On the other hand, the humble person is patient. He restrains himself from becoming offended, cynical and bitter. He refuses to let adverse circumstances get the better of him. Persons who exercise such self-restraint often find that “the end afterward of a matter” brings an unexpected turn for the better.
SOME THINGS TO AVOID
In order to cope successfully with things that are not right you must heed Scriptural counsel about what not to do. Let us consider two important examples.
Likely you are acquainted with persons who spend much time trying to discover a rule or formula as to why things happen the way they do in this world. Some forms of divination (such as astrology) have become very popular because they purport to show that events on earth take place according to a predetermined pattern that can be discovered by humans.
But the Scriptures show that all such endeavors are simply a waste of time. We read: “Whenever I tried to become wise and learn what goes on in the world, I realized that you could stay awake night and day and never be able to understand what God is doing. However hard you try, you will never find out. Wise men may claim to know, but they don’t.”—Eccl. 8:16, 17, Today’s English Version.
The Bible writer refers to things that happen on earth as being “what God is doing,” but not in the sense that God causes these things. Rather, they are as if ‘acts of God’ in that they exist by God’s allowance and are largely due to causes beyond human control and ability to foresee. The Bible makes plain that all efforts to “find out,” or discern, some predictable general pattern of human events and behavior are doomed to failure.
Another wise precept is found at Ecclesiastes 1:15, which states: “That which is made crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot possibly be counted.” Due to inheriting sin, all mankind has been “made crooked.” As noted by the apostle Paul, “the creation was subjected to futility.” (Rom. 8:20) That is why no human efforts, regardless of how sincere they may be, can eradicate deep-seated hatreds and unite mankind in brotherhood. The crookedness and futility that bedarken earthly affairs exist by God’s permission and will be removed only by divine intervention.—See Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:18; 21:1-5.
BE CHEERFUL AND GENEROUS
While living amidst many unpleasant circumstances, you will find this wise observation especially beneficial.
“Look! The best thing that I myself have seen, which is pretty, is that one should eat and drink and see good for all his hard work with which he works hard under the sun for the number of the days of his life that the true God has given him, for that is his portion. Also every man to whom the true God has given riches and material possessions, he has even empowered him to eat from it and to carry off his portion and to rejoice in his hard work. This is the gift of God. For not often will he remember the days of his life, because the true God is preoccupying him with the rejoicing of his heart.”—Eccl. 5:18-20.
No matter how many your problems may be there are always some aspects of life that are going well. Do not permit adversities to sap your enjoyment of pleasant things. An individual who delights in everyday pleasures such as eating and drinking and who ‘looks at the bright side’ of things will find that the unpleasant circumstances of his life, many though they may be, seldom come to mind.—Compare Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:12, 13, 22; 8:15; 9:7-10; 11:8.
A further Scriptural principle that can make for much happiness, especially when things go wrong, is found at Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2, where we read: “Send out your bread upon the surface of the waters, for in the course of many days you will find it again. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what calamity will occur on the earth.”
These words are a fine stimulus to generosity. Rather than limiting your giving to just a select few close friends, “give a portion to seven, or even to eight.” Give to a wide variety of people, especially those who are impoverished or otherwise needy. (Compare Luke 14:12-14.) Then if a “calamity” of some type befalls you, it will turn out as stated by Jesus Christ in these words: “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.”—Luke 6:38.
Do you not agree that these Scriptural principles make sense? Why not take time right now to familiarize yourself with them more fully. Live by them. They will make your life a delightful experience, even when things are not right.
The Scriptures often comment on this situation. To illustrate: “I myself returned that I might see all the acts of oppression that are being done under the sun, and, look! the tears of those being oppressed, but they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, so that they had no comforter.”—Eccl. 4:1.
Why does such a state of affairs exist? Under inspiration of God, a Bible writer known for wisdom laid bare a fundamental reason why things on earth so often run amok. He said: “This is what is calamitous in all that has been done under the sun, that, because there is one eventuality to all, the heart of the sons of men is also full of bad; and there is madness in their heart during their lifetime, and after it—to the dead ones!”—Eccl. 9:3.
The “eventuality” mentioned here is death, the result of inherited sin. (Rom. 5:12, 18; compare Psalm 51:5.) Since the heart of every human is “full of bad,” along with “madness” due to the rule of sin and death in all people, most individuals acquiesce to wrong desires and inclinations without self-restraint. (Rom. 7:14-25) The resultant difficulties affect not only those who are primarily responsible but also innumerable others, including persons who endeavor to live godly lives.
Another reason why things go wrong is that “time and unforeseen occurrence befall” everyone. (Eccl. 9:11) These may strike in the form of serious illness, political upheavals, economic reversals, natural disasters or other things that can change a person’s entire situation in life.
In view of the fact that so many things on earth are not right, what can you do to make life happy and meaningful? Let us consider this matter especially from the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes.
PATIENCE AND HUMILITY
A correct mental attitude is important for coping with things that go wrong. The wise Bible writer declared: “Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning. Better is one who is patient than one who is haughty in spirit. Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.”—Eccl. 7:8, 9.
Those who are quick to take offense and who nurture grudges “in the bosom” give evidence of being haughty. Individuals who are preoccupied with what is going wrong in their lives do not gain happiness from the things that are going well. In the estimation of God, they are “stupid.” On the other hand, the humble person is patient. He restrains himself from becoming offended, cynical and bitter. He refuses to let adverse circumstances get the better of him. Persons who exercise such self-restraint often find that “the end afterward of a matter” brings an unexpected turn for the better.
SOME THINGS TO AVOID
In order to cope successfully with things that are not right you must heed Scriptural counsel about what not to do. Let us consider two important examples.
Likely you are acquainted with persons who spend much time trying to discover a rule or formula as to why things happen the way they do in this world. Some forms of divination (such as astrology) have become very popular because they purport to show that events on earth take place according to a predetermined pattern that can be discovered by humans.
But the Scriptures show that all such endeavors are simply a waste of time. We read: “Whenever I tried to become wise and learn what goes on in the world, I realized that you could stay awake night and day and never be able to understand what God is doing. However hard you try, you will never find out. Wise men may claim to know, but they don’t.”—Eccl. 8:16, 17, Today’s English Version.
The Bible writer refers to things that happen on earth as being “what God is doing,” but not in the sense that God causes these things. Rather, they are as if ‘acts of God’ in that they exist by God’s allowance and are largely due to causes beyond human control and ability to foresee. The Bible makes plain that all efforts to “find out,” or discern, some predictable general pattern of human events and behavior are doomed to failure.
Another wise precept is found at Ecclesiastes 1:15, which states: “That which is made crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot possibly be counted.” Due to inheriting sin, all mankind has been “made crooked.” As noted by the apostle Paul, “the creation was subjected to futility.” (Rom. 8:20) That is why no human efforts, regardless of how sincere they may be, can eradicate deep-seated hatreds and unite mankind in brotherhood. The crookedness and futility that bedarken earthly affairs exist by God’s permission and will be removed only by divine intervention.—See Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:18; 21:1-5.
BE CHEERFUL AND GENEROUS
While living amidst many unpleasant circumstances, you will find this wise observation especially beneficial.
“Look! The best thing that I myself have seen, which is pretty, is that one should eat and drink and see good for all his hard work with which he works hard under the sun for the number of the days of his life that the true God has given him, for that is his portion. Also every man to whom the true God has given riches and material possessions, he has even empowered him to eat from it and to carry off his portion and to rejoice in his hard work. This is the gift of God. For not often will he remember the days of his life, because the true God is preoccupying him with the rejoicing of his heart.”—Eccl. 5:18-20.
No matter how many your problems may be there are always some aspects of life that are going well. Do not permit adversities to sap your enjoyment of pleasant things. An individual who delights in everyday pleasures such as eating and drinking and who ‘looks at the bright side’ of things will find that the unpleasant circumstances of his life, many though they may be, seldom come to mind.—Compare Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:12, 13, 22; 8:15; 9:7-10; 11:8.
A further Scriptural principle that can make for much happiness, especially when things go wrong, is found at Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2, where we read: “Send out your bread upon the surface of the waters, for in the course of many days you will find it again. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what calamity will occur on the earth.”
These words are a fine stimulus to generosity. Rather than limiting your giving to just a select few close friends, “give a portion to seven, or even to eight.” Give to a wide variety of people, especially those who are impoverished or otherwise needy. (Compare Luke 14:12-14.) Then if a “calamity” of some type befalls you, it will turn out as stated by Jesus Christ in these words: “Practice giving, and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.”—Luke 6:38.
Do you not agree that these Scriptural principles make sense? Why not take time right now to familiarize yourself with them more fully. Live by them. They will make your life a delightful experience, even when things are not right.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
How You Can Know God by Name
A NEWSPAPER columnist received the following letter from a reader: “I have wrestled all my life with this question, and I hope you can provide an answer. What is God’s name? The Jews say the real name has been lost to the ages. The Christians call Him Jesus. The Muslims call Him Allah. . . . So, what is it?” The newspaper published the question along with this answer: “According to ancient Hebrew teachings, God is omnipotent, so He cannot be contained in any one name. I assure you, however, He (or She) will answer to any name you respectfully come up with.”
Such a casual attitude toward the name of God is not rare today. Although religiously inclined, many who believe in the Bible give little thought to the issue of God’s name. But how does God feel about it? Is it such a trivial matter to him?
Not a Trivial Matter
Consider the fact that the Bible mentions God’s personal name, Jehovah, thousands of times. In the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the divine name appears 7,210 times! It was God himself who inspired Bible writers to use his name so prominently. One of these writers, the psalmist Asaph, wrote: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18) David also wrote in a psalm: “Concerning the name of Jehovah our God we shall make mention.”—Psalm 20:7.
The Bible shows that Jehovah God examines our heart to determine how we feel about his name. The psalmist said: “If we have forgotten the name of our God, . . . will not God himself search this out? For he is aware of the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:20, 21) The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. Make known among the peoples his dealings. Make mention that his name is put on high.”—Isaiah 12:4.
God himself said: “They will have to know that my name is Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 16:21) On another occasion he declared: “I shall certainly sanctify my great name, which was being profaned among the nations, . . . and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 36:23) Some of these statements point to a time when Jehovah will act with anger toward those who show disrespect for his name. The issue of his personal name is no trivial matter to God.
Jehovah God Is Not Far From You
How can you get to know God by name? What does it mean to know God by name? The Bible answers: “Those knowing your name will trust in you.” (Psalm 9:10) Clearly, knowing God by name involves more than just knowing what his name is. You must trust him. That means getting to know the kind of God he is and learning about his qualities and his thoughts. This will impel you to trust him.
Only conscientious reading and studying of the Bible can provide you with insight into the kind of God that Jehovah is. He promises to protect those who show affection for him and his name. Regarding one who does so, God says: “Because on me he has set his affection, I shall also provide him with escape. I shall protect him because he has come to know my name. He will call upon me, and I shall answer him. I shall be with him in distress. I shall rescue him and glorify him. With length of days I shall satisfy him, and I shall cause him to see salvation by me.”—Psalm 91:14-16.
What a wonderful relationship Jehovah God has with those who know him by name! You too can enjoy such a relationship. In your heartfelt prayers, never be hesitant about calling upon him by name. He will answer because, as the Bible says, “he is not far off from each one of us.”
God Knows You by Name
God said to Moses: “I do know you by name.” (Exodus 33:12) The well-known account of the burning bush verifies this. The Bible says that God “called to him out of the midst of the thornbush and said: ‘Moses! Moses!’” (Exodus 3:4) This is just one example of the numerous occasions when God addressed people by their personal name. Clearly, the Creator of the universe is interested in us as individuals.
The Bible says that God knows each one of the many billions of stars by name. (Isaiah 40:26) How much more so must he care about humans who worship him! The apostle Paul wrote that “Jehovah knows those who belong to him.” (2 Timothy 2:19) This implies more than simply memorizing names. God has intimate knowledge of his worshipers. We, in turn, should know God by name and acquire intimate knowledge of his qualities.
The last book of the Bible describes a figurative book in which God writes the names of all who have worshiped him throughout history. This book is called “the scroll of life” because Jehovah God will grant everlasting life to those whose names are written in it. (Revelation 17:8) This is a bright prospect for those who know God by name.
They Proclaimed God’s Name
● Moses’ song just before Israel entered the Promised Land: “I shall declare the name of Jehovah.”—Deuteronomy 32:3.
● David’s words to the giant Goliath: “I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies.”—1 Samuel 17:45.
● Job’s words after the total loss of his possessions and the sudden death of all his children: “Let the name of Jehovah continue to be blessed.”—Job 1:21.
● The apostle Peter quoting the Hebrew Scriptures in a speech: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”—Acts 2:21.
● The prophet Isaiah: “Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. . . . Make mention that his name is put on high.”—Isaiah 12:4.
● Jesus Christ teaching his disciples to pray: “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.’”—Matthew 6:9, 10.
● Jesus Christ praying to God: “I have made your name manifest.”—John 17:6.
● God speaking to his people: “I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory.”—Isaiah 42:8.
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, is a Bible translation that replaces the archaic language of old translations with current speech forms. The foremost feature of this translation is the restoration of the divine name to its rightful place in the Bible text. To date, over 145 million copies have been printed, in whole or in part, in 60 languages.
If it is available in your language, why not ask Jehovah’s Witnesses for a copy and see for yourself the benefits of this accurate translation?
Sincere Bible students want to grasp and act upon the message that God inspired. If you are such a person, you need an accurate Bible translation. Really, you deserve nothing less.
Such a casual attitude toward the name of God is not rare today. Although religiously inclined, many who believe in the Bible give little thought to the issue of God’s name. But how does God feel about it? Is it such a trivial matter to him?
Not a Trivial Matter
Consider the fact that the Bible mentions God’s personal name, Jehovah, thousands of times. In the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the divine name appears 7,210 times! It was God himself who inspired Bible writers to use his name so prominently. One of these writers, the psalmist Asaph, wrote: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18) David also wrote in a psalm: “Concerning the name of Jehovah our God we shall make mention.”—Psalm 20:7.
The Bible shows that Jehovah God examines our heart to determine how we feel about his name. The psalmist said: “If we have forgotten the name of our God, . . . will not God himself search this out? For he is aware of the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:20, 21) The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. Make known among the peoples his dealings. Make mention that his name is put on high.”—Isaiah 12:4.
God himself said: “They will have to know that my name is Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 16:21) On another occasion he declared: “I shall certainly sanctify my great name, which was being profaned among the nations, . . . and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 36:23) Some of these statements point to a time when Jehovah will act with anger toward those who show disrespect for his name. The issue of his personal name is no trivial matter to God.
Jehovah God Is Not Far From You
How can you get to know God by name? What does it mean to know God by name? The Bible answers: “Those knowing your name will trust in you.” (Psalm 9:10) Clearly, knowing God by name involves more than just knowing what his name is. You must trust him. That means getting to know the kind of God he is and learning about his qualities and his thoughts. This will impel you to trust him.
Only conscientious reading and studying of the Bible can provide you with insight into the kind of God that Jehovah is. He promises to protect those who show affection for him and his name. Regarding one who does so, God says: “Because on me he has set his affection, I shall also provide him with escape. I shall protect him because he has come to know my name. He will call upon me, and I shall answer him. I shall be with him in distress. I shall rescue him and glorify him. With length of days I shall satisfy him, and I shall cause him to see salvation by me.”—Psalm 91:14-16.
What a wonderful relationship Jehovah God has with those who know him by name! You too can enjoy such a relationship. In your heartfelt prayers, never be hesitant about calling upon him by name. He will answer because, as the Bible says, “he is not far off from each one of us.”
God Knows You by Name
God said to Moses: “I do know you by name.” (Exodus 33:12) The well-known account of the burning bush verifies this. The Bible says that God “called to him out of the midst of the thornbush and said: ‘Moses! Moses!’” (Exodus 3:4) This is just one example of the numerous occasions when God addressed people by their personal name. Clearly, the Creator of the universe is interested in us as individuals.
The Bible says that God knows each one of the many billions of stars by name. (Isaiah 40:26) How much more so must he care about humans who worship him! The apostle Paul wrote that “Jehovah knows those who belong to him.” (2 Timothy 2:19) This implies more than simply memorizing names. God has intimate knowledge of his worshipers. We, in turn, should know God by name and acquire intimate knowledge of his qualities.
The last book of the Bible describes a figurative book in which God writes the names of all who have worshiped him throughout history. This book is called “the scroll of life” because Jehovah God will grant everlasting life to those whose names are written in it. (Revelation 17:8) This is a bright prospect for those who know God by name.
They Proclaimed God’s Name
● Moses’ song just before Israel entered the Promised Land: “I shall declare the name of Jehovah.”—Deuteronomy 32:3.
● David’s words to the giant Goliath: “I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies.”—1 Samuel 17:45.
● Job’s words after the total loss of his possessions and the sudden death of all his children: “Let the name of Jehovah continue to be blessed.”—Job 1:21.
● The apostle Peter quoting the Hebrew Scriptures in a speech: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”—Acts 2:21.
● The prophet Isaiah: “Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. . . . Make mention that his name is put on high.”—Isaiah 12:4.
● Jesus Christ teaching his disciples to pray: “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.’”—Matthew 6:9, 10.
● Jesus Christ praying to God: “I have made your name manifest.”—John 17:6.
● God speaking to his people: “I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory.”—Isaiah 42:8.
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, is a Bible translation that replaces the archaic language of old translations with current speech forms. The foremost feature of this translation is the restoration of the divine name to its rightful place in the Bible text. To date, over 145 million copies have been printed, in whole or in part, in 60 languages.
If it is available in your language, why not ask Jehovah’s Witnesses for a copy and see for yourself the benefits of this accurate translation?
Sincere Bible students want to grasp and act upon the message that God inspired. If you are such a person, you need an accurate Bible translation. Really, you deserve nothing less.
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