Those knowing your name

Tuesday, April 6

Those knowing your name will trust in you, for you will certainly not leave those looking for you, O Jehovah.—Ps. 9:10.

If we truly know Jehovah and look to his name with respect for what it stands for, we will trust in him. Note how God’s Word makes a connection between trusting in Jehovah and respecting him. When ancient Israel failed to trust in Him, Jehovah asked Moses: “How long will this people treat me without respect, and how long will they not put faith in me for all the signs that I performed in among them?” (Num. 14:11) By trusting in Jehovah to protect and sustain us even during trials, we show that we respect him. Jesus indicated that respect for Jehovah must come from the inner person. Speaking to those whose worship was not sincere, Jesus quoted Jehovah as saying: “This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me.” (Matt. 15:8) Sincere respect for Jehovah springs from heartfelt love for him.—1 John 5:3.

You have blocked approach to yourself

Wednesday, April 7

You have blocked approach to yourself.—Lam. 3:44.

When faced with a health problem, each adult Christian must “carry his own load” of responsibility in choosing treatment. (Gal. 6:5) But we should remember that our choice of therapy matters to Jehovah. Just as respect for Bible principles moves us to “abstain . . . from blood,” so our deep regard for God’s Word should impel us to avoid resorting to therapies that could harm us spiritually or affect our relationship with Jehovah. (Acts 15:20) Some diagnostic and therapeutic procedures border on the use of the uncanny. Jehovah disapproved of apostate Israelites who resorted to “uncanny power,” or spiritistic practices. He declared: “Stop bringing in any more valueless grain offerings. . . . I cannot put up with the use of uncanny power along with the solemn assembly.” (Isa. 1:13) A period of illness surely is no time to do something that might hinder our prayers and jeopardize our relationship with God.

His deligth

Thursday, April 8

His delight is in the law of Jehovah.—Ps. 1:2.

When we first learned the truths contained in God’s Word and then dedicated our lives to Jehovah, we probably read the Bible eagerly. We likely prayed fervently and often. And we delighted to attend congregation meetings, viewing each one as a source of spiritual refreshment, like an oasis for a thirsty man. That course helped us to break free of and keep free of the world’s spirit. Do we still try to read the Bible each day? Are our prayers frequent and heartfelt? Do we love congregation meetings, attending all of them each week? (Ps. 84:10) Or have we lost some of these good habits? Of course, we may have many demands upon our time and energy, and it can be challenging to maintain a healthy spiritual routine. But if some of our good habits have suffered over time, could it be that we are succumbing to the spirit of the world? Will we now make a strong effort to revive the good habits we once had? w08 9/15 4:10, 11

With glory

Friday, April 9

With glory and splendor you . . . crowned him.—Ps. 8:5

.

Jehovah has especially conferred a measure of dignity upon those who render sacred service to him. God dignified Abel by accepting his sacrifice, rejecting the one offered by his brother Cain. (Gen. 4:4, 5) Moses was instructed to ‘put some of his dignity’ upon Joshua, the man who was to succeed him as leader of the Israelites. (Num. 27:20) Concerning David’s son Solomon, the Bible says: “Jehovah continued to make Solomon surpassingly great before the eyes of all Israel and to put upon him such royal dignity as had not come to be upon any king before him over Israel.” (1 Chron. 29:25) God will confer exceptional dignity upon resurrected anointed Christians, who have faithfully declared “the glory of the splendor of his kingship.” (Ps. 145:11-13) In thus extolling Jehovah, increasing throngs of Jesus’ “other sheep” also have a blessed and dignified role.—John 10:16.