The Watchtower, September 1, 1972

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The Watchtower — September 1, 1972

Source: jw.org

Contents

Meeting the Challenge of Moral Principles

A Death That Brings Gain

You Are Never Alone

Help from On High

‘God’s Power Made Perfect in Weakness’

Do You Give Undue Prominence to Creatures?

Annual Meeting, October 1, 1972

“My Sheep Listen to My Voice”

Boston City Council Expresses Appreciation

Do You Remember?

Questions From Readers

A Valuable Aid for Teachers

Meeting the Challenge of Moral Principles

“THE Sorrow and the Pity.” That was the name of a four-and-a-half-hour motion picture being shown in the spring of 1972 throughout the United States. In a blunt and artless way it documented how some people behaved during the German occupation of their country. One reviewer stated that it served a fine purpose in that “it forces us to examine ourselves and our smug assumptions about how we would behave in a moment of national crisis. . . . Would we risk pain and prison and death for our beliefs?” Many, faced with that crisis, did not.

By way of contrast, it has been noted, the Christian witnesses of Jehovah during those times were the exception to the rule. They refused to compromise. As Professor Ebenstein, of Princeton University, wrote in The Nazi State, “each member seems to be a fortress which can be destroyed but never taken.” Why? One reason no doubt was that in their everyday lives they had been meeting the challenge of moral principles, and so, when a crisis came, they were well prepared to handle it and come off the victors.

Today most people are not facing a national crisis posing such vital issues. But all persons are involved in a conflict between the forces of right and those of wrong. Where, then, do we stand? Are we meeting the challenge of moral principles in our everyday lives?

One of the glories of our humanity is that we are free moral agents. That is, we are capable of understanding the difference between right and wrong and are free to choose to be governed by one or the other. This, as much as any other one factor, testifies to the vast gulf that exists between us and the brute creation. Those who accept the evolution theory choose to overlook this all-important difference. Yes, we alone of all earth’s creatures have a moral sense; we alone can appreciate the difference between what is, a world filled with wickedness and violence, and what ought to be, a world of righteousness and peace. We alone find a need for an explanation of things, a need for religion.

God’s Word, the Bible, eloquently testifies to this great difference. Only man was made in God’s image and likeness. Only man was given a moral issue to face: “As for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.”—Gen. 1:26-28; 2:16, 17.

Fittingly, man, by reason of his higher endowments, has, not only greater privileges and a greater capacity for enjoying life, but also greater responsibilities. It is even as Jesus said: “Everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.”—Luke 12:48.

To be governed by moral principles means to put obedience to conscience ahead of selfish gain, ahead of material things. When we stop to think about it, actually all the animals are materialists, for to them physical comfort and satisfaction of their sexual impulses are all that matter. Interestingly, the Bible tells us that the wisdom marked by selfish strife and jealousy is animalistic. Further, the Bible tells us that the wicked are like unreasoning brutes, and, like them, such people will also perish.—Jas. 3:14-16; 2 Pet. 2:10-13.

Today the world has, by and large, become animalistic and as a result it is ever harder to govern oneself by moral principles. Never before have there been such temptations and pressures toward self-interest, expediency, greed, love of sensual pleasure or thirst for power. Every day we are faced with moral challenges, with temptations to compromise.

Of course, the challenges are not the same for all. Because of heredity and/or environment they differ. For one, a challenge might be posed because of the thrills and excitement associated with gambling, such as betting on the horses. For another, it may be the use of narcotics, because of the pleasure associated with the addiction. For many others, the challenge is posed because of their leaning toward sexual immorality. Nor are there only a few for whom hard work represents a challenge, because of their love of ease or just plain laziness. Likewise a real challenge of self-control faces many who imbibe alcoholic beverages.

To meet the challenge of moral principles, to come off victorious when temptations or pressures are applied, is not easy; it is not the line of least resistance. But it is the only wise, the only satisfying, the only rewarding course. The wisest human king that ever lived proved to himself that the pursuit of material things leads only to frustration.—Eccl. 2:1-11.

To meet these challenges successfully takes alertness. And it also requires looking to God for help. As Jesus said: “Keep on the watch and pray continually, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41) And it also requires self-discipline, self-control, even as the apostle Paul appreciated: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.”—1 Cor. 9:27.

Additionally, it will help you to meet the challenge of moral principles to remind yourself continually of the fact that you are accountable to the Creator, and that you should ever beware of displeasing him. That is why His Word tells us that “the fear of Jehovah is the start of wisdom.” (Prov. 9:10) It will also be a great help to read God’s Word the Bible daily. Not only is it filled with fine counsel such as noted in the foregoing, but it also contains fine examples for you to strive to imitate.

Consider, too, the rewards that come from your meeting the challenge of moral principles. There are the clear conscience and the self-respect that come when you gain a victory over temptations and pressures to yield or compromise, when you let yourself be governed by love and righteousness rather than by selfish considerations. And God’s Word also holds out the hope of everlasting life to those who win God’s approval by meeting the challenge of His high moral principles.

A Death That Brings Gain

GAIN by dying? How can that be? A person losing life loses everything he has. However, some persons have felt that their death would mean gain when they were dying for a cause. Not that they gained anything for themselves, but with the view that promoting the cause by their own death would help others.

But is it possible to die a death that actually brings gain to the one dying as well as to others? Not a death in which he gains only a name for himself, but one from which he is raised up, actually living again to see what his death accomplished? If so, how?

The wise writer of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes said: “A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” (Eccl. 7:1) This is not the case, however, if one merely makes a good name with men. The apostle Paul wrote: “If I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all.”—1 Cor. 13:3.

The death that brings gain, then, must be a death that takes place in service to God, making a good name with him. In fact, the Bible shows that there are certain persons God has selected who must die, but who in so doing gain the greatest reward possible. Who are these?

CHRIST AN EXAMPLE

For the answer we turn first to the example of Jesus Christ. His death brought incalculable gain to mankind and the greatest reward to himself. For it not only provided a ransom sacrifice for mankind’s salvation; it also resulted in his resurrection to immortality, and his being raised to a position of far greater power, with authority over all God’s creation.—Eph. 1:20-22; Phil. 2:9-11.

Now, this mightiest of God’s sons had to die in order to attain to these things. To provide the ransom price for mankind, God transferred his Son’s life from heaven to the womb of the virgin Mary. He became human and was known as Jesus the Messiah or Jesus Christ. (Luke 1:34, 35; Gal. 4:4) Then, in order to return to the heavens he had to undergo a change of nature, which necessitated his death. Jesus likened his sacrificial death to the planting of a grain of wheat, which has to die in the ground in order to sprout and produce fruitage.—John 12:24.

When he was baptized with holy spirit at the Jordan River, Jesus started the course that ended in his sacrificial death. He spoke of this course as a “cup” or portion handed to him by his Father, saying to his disciples: “The cup I am drinking you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am being baptized you will be baptized.”—Mark 10:39.

THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION

When Jesus died, he certainly did not die as a sinner. What, then, about those of the Christian congregation, the spirit-begotten sons of God, anointed by his spirit? (1 John 2:27; 3:1) These, according to the Scriptures, number 144,000 and are joint heirs with Jesus Christ, to be kings and priests in the heavens with him. (Rev. 14:1-4; 5:9, 10) At their death they likewise do not die as sinners. Why not?

To answer this question, it is helpful first to consider the death of the rest of mankind. They are all dying due to sin. The apostle says that “through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) Also he tells us, “The wages sin pays is death.” (Rom. 6:23) Since death constitutes “wages” for sin, the Bible principle is, “He who has died has been acquitted [justified] from his sin.” (Rom. 6:7, Kingdom Interlinear Translation) He dies because of the sin that is in him, but his death acquits him of the acts of sin he has committed. Nevertheless, there is no gain in this for him, for, “as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages.”—Eccl. 9:5.

It is different with the spirit-begotten brothers of Jesus Christ. Why? Because, as the apostle Paul explains:

“Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him through our baptism into his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, we also should likewise walk in a newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection; because we know that our old personality was impaled with him, that our sinful body might be made inactive, that we should no longer go on being slaves to sin. For he who has died has been acquitted from his sin.”—Rom. 6:3-7.

These, then, have figuratively “died.” After they have the benefits of Christ’s sacrificial death for their sins applied to them, they are declared or ‘counted’ righteous. (Rom. 5:1, 18; 8:30) Their fleshly bodies, with their old personalities, are counted as impaled with Christ. They are then spiritually begotten by God, giving them hope of life in the spirit. (John 3:5-8) Their hope is no longer set on earthly things. Of course, they need the material necessities of life, but they are no longer going on “being slaves to sin,” doing the “works of the flesh.” They are cultivating the “fruitage of the spirit.”—Gal. 5:19-23.

Since they realize that the old personality is counted as “dead” by God, they exert themselves vigorously in keeping it under subjection. They realize they must keep continually in mind this important fact: “By relationship with [Christ] you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands by the stripping off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision that belongs to the Christ, for you were buried with him in his baptism, and by relationship with him you were also raised up together through your faith in the operation of God, who raised him up from the dead.”—Col. 2:11, 12.

God views and judges these spirit-begotten Christians according to what they are spiritually, just as they view one another. The apostle expressed this truth to the Corinthian congregation when he wrote: “[Christ] died for all that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up. Consequently from now on we know no man according to the flesh. Even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, certainly we now know him so no more.”—2 Cor. 5:15, 16.

The apostle Peter wrote in the same vein: “Therefore since Christ suffered in the flesh, you too arm yourselves with the same mental disposition; because the person that has suffered in the flesh [taking up the torture stake of Christ (Luke 9:23)] has desisted from sins, to the end that he may live the remainder of his time in the flesh, no more for the desires of men, but for God’s will. For the time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct . . . In fact, for this purpose the good news was declared also to the [spiritually] dead, that they might be judged as to the flesh from the standpoint of [worldly] men but might live as to the spirit from the standpoint of God.”—1 Pet. 4:1-6.

These, as ‘new creatures,’ are allowed to live on for a while in the flesh to carry out a ministry on earth and to prove their integrity under test. (2 Cor. 5:17) Their bodies are not healed, because their hope of life is heavenward, so these fleshly bodies continue to deteriorate as they grow older, until death. At the end of their course they do not have to be acquitted of their sin by death. This acquitting has already been done by Jehovah when he declared them righteous, accepting them into the new covenant.—Heb. 8:10-13.

Consequently, these anointed ones are not viewed or counted by God as sinners, and are not living and suffering as sinners. They win the conflict that they wage against the sin in their fleshly bodies by reason of the sacrifice and help of their great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Paul explains: “Those in union with Christ Jesus have no condemnation. For the law of that spirit which gives life in union with Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”—Rom. 7:21–8:2.

Christ’s spiritual brothers, therefore, die a death like Christ’s. Not that it supplies a part of the propitiatory sacrifice for sins. Only Christ’s perfect sacrifice could do that. But they give up all human things in order to serve as vindicators of Jehovah’s name. The apostle Paul said: “Daily I face death.” Whether fighting temptation, opposition, misrepresentation and persecution, and yet maintaining faithfulness to God, it is all a suffering for righteousness’ sake as integrity keepers.—1 Cor. 15:31; 1 Pet. 5:9, 10.

In view of these things, then, these spiritual brothers of Christ undergo a death that brings gain. Paul said: “In my case to live is Christ, and to die, gain.” (Phil. 1:21) In his discussion of the resurrection, Paul illustrates the necessity of their death in order to gain the glorious reward of immortality in the heavens with Christ, saying:

“What you sow is not made alive unless first it dies; and as for what you sow, you sow, not the body that will develop, but a bare grain, it may be, of wheat or any one of the rest; but God gives it a body just as it has pleased him, and to each of the seeds its own body. . . . So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised up in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised up in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised up in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised up a spiritual body.”—1 Cor. 15:36-44.

The apostles and their fellow Christians in past centuries died and thereafter waited for Christ’s second presence for their resurrection. (Phil. 3:10, 11, 20, 21) When that time arrived, however, the spirit-begotten ones then on earth who thereafter died would not have to wait ‘asleep’ in death. They would receive an instantaneous resurrection to the heavens at the time of their death. This was indicated by the apostle when he told fellow Christians: “You died [while still alive, counted as impaled with Christ], and your life has been hidden with the Christ in union with God. When the Christ, our life, is made manifest, then you also will be made manifest with him in glory.”—Col. 3:3, 4; Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; Rev. 14:13.

CHRIST’S “OTHER SHEEP”

What, though, about those who, in this time, are the companions of Christ’s spiritual brothers, namely, the “great crowd” of “other sheep,” who have hopes of everlasting life on earth under the heavenly government of Christ and his associate kings and priests? They are shown in the Scriptures to be dressed in robes that they have made white because of their faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. (John 10:16; Rev. 7:9, 10, 14, 17; Matt. 25:31-34, 46) They are not following a course of sin as they did when involved in this world’s wicked system of things. Through prayer to Jehovah God in the name of Christ they can get forgiveness for the sins they commit day by day.—1 John 2:2.

However, these members of the “great crowd” are not called by God to be joint heirs with Christ. They are not counted as ‘impaled with Christ.’ Their being “declared righteous” as perfect human creatures must wait. But, should they die faithful now, they will receive a resurrection with the opportunity to be made perfect on earth during Christ’s reign. (Heb. 11:6; Rev. 20:12, 13) So, if they make a good name now with God, ‘the day of death is better than the day of birth’ for them too. They have a reward to which to look forward.

Moreover, their death can be one of satisfaction to them and of gain to others, if it is met in faithful integrity to God. God can use it to his glory. This truth is emphasized by the incident involving one of the faithful “other sheep” in Nigeria, Africa:

“A young man who had been raised a Presbyterian was persuaded by his parents to join the Biafran army during the Nigerian civil war. While at a camp awaiting deployment, a number of young men were brought in for conscription. Among them was one of Jehovah’s witnesses who refused enrollment for military training. He was severely beaten, yet would not change his mind. The officers in charge tried to pressure him into renouncing his faith. He refused, and was taken before a firing squad for public execution. He was tied to a pole and informed that, after the count of four, he would be shot. As the officer called out each number, he would pause to allow the Witness to change his mind. He still refused. At the count of four he was executed.

“In the audience watching the execution was the young soldier. Seeing this outstanding example of faith and integrity, his mind was moved to examine his own position. Whereas before he used to think that all were worshiping the same god, now he knew Jehovah’s witnesses were different. He decided that if God would spare him through the war, then he would worship Him fully. He decided never to handle a gun and arranged to work in the kitchen. As soon as the war ended, he started attending the meetings of the local congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses and studying the Bible. Before long he requested baptism. He has now completed his first period of ‘temporary pioneering,’ which is a devoting of full time in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom.”

The Scriptures say: “Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his loyal ones.” (Ps. 116:15) This is especially true of those whom God calls to undergo a death like Christ’s. It is also true of all those who give their lives in faithful service to Jehovah. Their death is not wasted. They provide a witness to the rightfulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty, and God can use even their death in helping others to see the truth and be moved to serve Him.

You Are Never Alone

“God is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses. That is why we shall not fear.”—Ps. 46:1, 2.

1, 2. How did a reporter react to a missionary’s seven-year isolation, and how did the missionary explain his successful endurance?

IN 1965 a missionary was released from a Red Chinese prison where he had spent seven years in isolation. Arriving in Hong Kong, he was met by newspaper reporters. One of them told the missionary, “Why, I could never endure to be alone. If I had to be alone for seven years I would be climbing up the walls.”

2 Whom would you be like—the news reporter or the missionary? What was the source of that missionary’s strength? He later explained how he could endure such long isolation. Speaking as one of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, he stated: “We have something to think about. We have some spiritual food inside us that feeds us, and we can stand firm in faith. Of course, we have to study first. We have no inner strength if we don’t study. So the best thing is to keep studying your Bible and building yourself up. And then when trouble comes, if it does come on you, you will be able to ‘stand firm.”’

3. What does the missionary’s experience illustrate, and why is this so?

3 This experience illustrates that true Christians are never alone! Persons without faith simply cannot understand this, yet it is true: Dedicated Christians are never alone, because their knowledge of spiritual matters is like a strong, ever-present companion with whom they can confer. Moreover, they have Jehovah God the Almighty as their Helper wherever they are, no matter what their circumstances may be. Showing that those who have faith like the psalmist are never alone are the words at Psalm 121:1-3: “I shall raise my eyes to the mountains. From where will my help come? My help is from Jehovah, the Maker of heaven and earth. He cannot possibly allow your foot to totter. The One guarding you cannot possibly be drowsy.”

WHEN DISCOURAGED OR DEPRESSED

4. When a person feels alone due to despair or discouragement, what can he do, but what attitude must he avoid?

4 There are times, outside of prisons too, when one may feel lonely. This is especially true when one is despondent, discouraged or feeling despair. Whatever the cause for the discouragement, a person should remember that he can throw his burden of anxiety or frustration upon Jehovah, even as the psalmist said: “Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter.” (Ps. 55:22) We can be certain that Jehovah God will not let his servants totter or fall to ruin. But here is a warning: Do not take an independent attitude. Rather, lean upon Jehovah God; completely depend on him. Then he will uphold and keep you from falling.—Prov. 3:5-7.

5. (a) How can we show our reliance on Jehovah? (b) When Jesus spoke of finding “the faith” on the earth when the Son of man arrives, to what was he especially referring?

5 Prayer is one way by which we show our reliance on God and by which we can throw our burdens upon him. Never neglect the medium of prayer. (Eph. 6:18) It takes faith to persist in prayer. In fact, the Lord Jesus once raised this question with regard to prayer: “When the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) At the time Jesus was teaching his disciples the need to pray, the need to “cry out to him day and night” in prayer, as Lu 18 verses one and seven show. Thus his question about “the faith” is especially related to faith in the efficacy of prayer to God. Who have this kind of faith today? Do you? Happy are those who do! They are never alone.

6, 7. When is prayer especially important, and why can we have confidence that God can sustain the faithful Christian who comes to him in prayer?

6 Especially is prayer important when one feels discouraged, despondent, almost crushed. (1 Sam. 1:5-18) Cast your reasons for anxiety upon him. Certainly he can sustain you. (Phil. 4:6) Why, Jehovah God sustained a great crowd of Israelites in the wilderness for forty years. He swooped down as an eagle with outspread wings to sustain them! (Deut. 32:11, 12) God provided for them miraculously so that their sandals and clothing never wore out.—Deut. 29:5.

7 Since Jehovah God can sustain not only a great crowd of people, but, in fact, the whole universe, can he not sustain one of his servants who may feel that he stands alone? Of course he can! But we must pray in faith to Jehovah for this sustaining power that even our Christian brothers cannot give.—Phil. 4:13.

WHEN TEMPORARILY AWAY FROM OTHERS

8, 9. (a) What Bible examples show the value of solitude? (b) So, how can temporary periods of being away from others be beneficial?

8 Do you feel all alone when you are temporarily away from others? Some persons do, and their first inclination may be to turn on the radio or television. But, really, temporary periods of being alone are beneficial; in fact, a certain amount of solitude is a basic need of humans. Even Jesus sought solitude as a relief from the crowds. In the mountains and the gardens he prayed. (Luke 4:1, 42; 6:12; 22:39-41) There are other examples in the Bible of godly men who also sought solitude at times. Jehovah spoke to Moses in the lonely recesses of Mount Horeb and then he used him to lead Israel. The psalmist David produced some of his loveliest psalms in solitude. John the Baptist resorted to the desert wilderness near the Jordan River. These men knew the need for solitude and used it to good advantage and to the glory of God.

9 Today life is very crowded. It moves fast, and man needs time to evaluate the events that flash by. Being alone for a time allows a person to catch up, so to speak. It provides the mind moments for necessary reflection and meditation on the truths of the Bible, a sheer pleasure in itself. It also affords one the opportunity to thank Jehovah for one’s blessings and to seek his guidance and holy spirit.

10. What did God say as to why he let the Israelites wander forty years in the wilderness, and what lesson is there in this for us?

10 Do you remember why God let the Israelites wander through the wilderness for forty years? In order “to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart,” God said. (Deut. 8:2, 3; compare 2 Chronicles 32:31.) So, what we do with our time when we are alone can also be a test as to what is really in our hearts. We need to put physical interests secondary to spiritual needs, feeding on the words of God whenever there is an opportunity.

11, 12. Explain purposeful meditation, and what example did Jesus set in this regard?

11 So, when we have periods of being alone, we can seek to use the time most wisely. We can use the time to meditate. Now, by meditation is not meant lazy daydreaming, a mind rambling, but, rather, guided thinking. Meditation should be purposeful, enabling one to think things over and arrive at some definite conclusion. To that end we need guidance when we meditate, and the best guide of all is the Holy Bible. When reading it, pause and mentally expand on what you read. Thus you will avoid helter-skelter thoughts with no definite goal.

12 Christians can imitate Jesus Christ, who, in the wilderness, meditated on God’s Word. And he thought deeply, undisturbed, about it. This meditation equipped him well, so that he could later repel the Devil’s attacks.—Matt. 4:1-11.

IN TIMES OF TRIBULATION

13. Why may true Christians at times find themselves isolated?

13 Sometimes true Christians find themselves isolated due to persecution. Here again they need to keep in mind that in such times of tribulation Jehovah’s spirit comforts those who rely entirely on Him. Knowing what to do in troublesome times is vital because the Lord Jesus, in giving the Revelation to his apostle John, said: “Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test.” And the apostle Paul stated: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.”—Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:12; 2 Cor. 1:3, 8-10.

14. How can a Christian fortify himself so as to be able to endure isolation?

14 How strong is your faith? Could you face up to constant interrogation and years of isolation in prison because of your desire to keep integrity to God and yet not falter? The time to fortify yourself is before such persecution comes. How? By wise use of your time now, by studying and meditating on God’s Word so that it becomes deeply rooted in your heart, by regularly associating with Jehovah’s people, and by putting to use in His kingdom ministry what you learn. If you rely on Jehovah now, availing yourself of the spiritual provisions at hand, you will be in position to draw strength from him in time of crisis, strength that will sustain you through it all.

15, 16. (a) If a Christian is thrust into isolation, what can he do? (b) How did the psalmist Asaph cope with distress?

15 But when a person is thrust into isolation, just what can he do? Well, he can review the Holy Scriptures in his mind, think upon God’s dealings and his work. He can think of Bible examples of endurance and faithfulness. There is Joseph, who spent years in prison, and yet he was not really alone, for God was with him. (Gen. 39:20-23) There is Samson, who, in the prison house, seemed all alone, but Jehovah did not forsake him. (Judg. 16:21-30) There are the apostles, who were often in prison, and yet they kept integrity. (Acts 5:17-21; 12:3-17; 16:19-34; 2 Cor. 6:3-5) A Christian in isolation due to persecution can do as the psalmist Asaph did when he was in great distress. This “visionary” who did ‘prophesying with the harp’ writes at Psalm 77:2, 12: “In the day of my distress I have searched for Jehovah himself. . . . I shall certainly meditate on all your activity, and with your dealings I will concern myself.” (1 Chron. 25:1; 2 Chron. 29:30) That is what one of the Watch Tower Society’s zone overseers did when under restraint and when undergoing both verbal and physical abuse due to keeping integrity. Telling of his experience afterward, he said: “We did a lot of praying; in such a situation a person does a lot of thinking.”

16 Similarly, the psalmist Asaph did a lot of thinking when he was in a difficult situation. He appeared to be forsaken by God, and the situation looked black. But what did he do to sustain himself and hold fast to Jehovah God? As already cited, he said: “I shall certainly meditate on all your activity, and with your dealings I will concern myself.” He concerned himself with God’s past activities and dealings, how Jehovah had delivered his people in the past. Asaph knew that God does not change, just as it is written: “For I am Jehovah; I have not changed. And you are sons of Jacob; you have not come to your finish.” (Mal. 3:6) Certainly, then, Jehovah will not allow his people, if faithful, to be consumed or finished off.

17, 18. What can the Christian do to prepare himself to face a difficult situation?

17 So, there is good reason to familiarize ourselves with God’s activities, past and present, on behalf of his people as well as what he has done for his organization. Now is the time to store up all this information in our hearts and minds. To this end we have God’s Word and various publications of the Watch Tower Society to help us. Then if we are ever in a difficult situation, such as Asaph was, we can do the right kind of thinking so that we can stand firm. We will have good things, noble things, praiseworthy things, lovable things in our mind upon which we can meditate.—Phil. 4:8.

18 So, it is a good pattern that the psalmist sets for us here—to meditate on Jehovah God’s activities and dealings. Then it will stand us in good stead in time of need.

MODERN-DAY EXAMPLES

19, 20. How did a modern-day servant of Jehovah cope with five years of isolation?

19 As Asaph the visionary was never alone because of his meditation and his trust in God, it is also true of God’s modern-day servants. Consider, for example, a missionary who spent five years in isolation in a Red Chinese prison. This Christian witness of Jehovah related how he kept spiritually alive:

20 “Right from the start I realized that I would have to take steps to stay strong in faith. No sooner had I been locked in my cell on the day of my arrest than I got down on my knees to pray. . . . To keep alive my appreciation of spiritual things I arranged for a program of ‘preaching’ activity. But to whom does one preach when in solitary confinement? I decided that I would build up some appropriate Bible sermons from the things I could remember and then preach to imaginary characters. Then I started out on the work, as it were, knocking on an imaginary door and witnessing to an imaginary householder, visiting several doors during the morning. . . . All this I did aloud, so that the sound of these things would further impress them on my mind. I am sure that the warders thought I was going out of my mind, but it was really keeping me strong in faith and of a sound mind.”

21, 22. (a) How did this missionary explain that he was never alone? (b) And how did another imprisoned missionary beneficially use his time in isolation?

21 That missionary was not alone, though in isolation, and this is true no matter where any of Jehovah’s servants may be. As that missionary further said: “I might be isolated from my fellowmen, but no one could isolate me from God. What spiritual strength and comfort prayer brought to me! . . . There are no guns, no walls, no prison bars that can keep the spirit of God from reaching his people! If we have applied ourselves to a study of his Word and allowed it to sink down deep into our hearts, there is nothing to fear. We do not stand in our own strength. But with God’s almighty power he is able to make even the most frail of us come off victorious in the face of persecution!”

22 Another imprisoned missionary in similar circumstances explained: “I had so much time on my hands. . . . Many Scripture texts began to come to my mind and I would write them down. . . . When I had written out enough scriptures I would select one for a daily text, copy it and keep it somewhere prominent so that I could consider it throughout the day.”

23, 24. How did a modern-day servant of God in Germany explain his basis for endurance in a Nazi concentration camp?

23 From all parts of the world come modern-day examples, proving that true Christians are never alone. In Germany, during World War II, thousands of Witnesses were put in Hitler’s concentration camps, usually deprived of their Bibles. One of those Witnesses, after his release, wrote: “When I was arrested I was thankful that I had not neglected personal Bible study, as it helped me to have the faith to endure. Frequently I thought about the endurance mentioned by the Bible writer James, who said: ‘Look! We pronounce happy those who have endured.’—Jas. 5:11.

24 “Although the prison officials took the Bible away from me, they permitted other prisoners [who were not Witnesses] to have it. They thought that my faith would become weak if I did not have the Bible, and I would renounce my faith by signing a declaration to that effect prepared by the Nazis. They failed to realize that I had impressed the truth of God’s Word deeply upon my mind by personal and group Bible study long before I was imprisoned. They could not remove those faith-strengthening truths from my mind.”

25-27. Explain how Jehovah’s people in a concentration camp in the United Arab Republic felt, and how in that situation did they manage to feed on spiritual food?

25 Witnesses in the United Arab Republic who were put in a concentration camp also experienced the faith-strengthening power of God’s Word and they too never felt alone. Observed one Witness who had been a traveling representative of the Watch Tower Society before his imprisonment: “Regardless of the amount of insults and beatings that we received, a few seconds would pass and we would not feel anything more, even though the beatings continued. We were feeling that Jehovah God was always with us.”

26 And how did those Witnesses arrange to take in strength-giving spiritual food? One of them answered: “Each morning we would discuss an appropriate Bible text, selecting one that would be encouraging to our Christian brothers. We would also select two chapters from the Bible to talk about. Then each of us would draw from our memory the information we could remember from these chapters. Each evening, too, we would gather for a Bible talk. These daily Bible discussions and talks indeed proved strengthening to us.”

27 Many indeed are the modern-day examples that prove that true Christians are never alone; Jehovah is with them if they trust and rely entirely upon him.

KEEP A MENTAL VISION OF GOD

28-30. (a) As indicated at Psalm 16:8, what will help us to rely on Jehovah? (b) How can we imitate David and Jesus in this respect?

28 What will help us to rely on Jehovah is to do as the psalmist did, that is, keep Jehovah at our right hand constantly. At Psalm 16:8 we find these encouraging words: “I have placed Jehovah in front of me constantly. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be made to totter.”

29 Now, it is well to keep in mind that the apostle Peter applied Psalm 16 to Jesus Christ: “God resurrected him by loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to continue to be held fast by it. For David says respecting him, ‘I had Jehovah constantly before my eyes; because he is at my right hand that I may never be shaken.”’—Acts 2:24, 25.

30 We can do the same as did David and the Lord Jesus Christ! We can mentally put Jehovah in front of us. As Jesus did, so we too can keep Jehovah in front of us constantly by trying always to please him. Be positive; know your God. By your keeping him at your right hand Jehovah can uphold you with his left hand as he fights for his people with his right hand. Yes, we know the prophetic promise given to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Melchizedekian king-priest, as foretold at Psalm 110:4-6: “Jehovah himself at your right hand will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of his anger. He will execute judgment among the nations; he will cause a fullness of dead bodies.” So, by following the example of Jesus Christ our Exemplar, and by placing Jehovah God in front of us constantly, keeping him at our right hand, we will never be alone; we will never totter.

31. What will our God-given hope do for us if we steadfastly hold to it?

31 Our hope helps to keep Jehovah close to us. In fact, the apostle Paul likens the Christian hope to an “anchor for the soul.” “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm, and it enters in within the curtain, where a forerunner has entered in our behalf, Jesus.” (Heb. 6:19, 20) Since this anchorlike hope originates with God, it in effect enters into heaven, where Jesus Christ and Jehovah are. By our holding to this hope, never relinquishing it, it will bind us fast to Jehovah God and we will never drift away. So never let anyone sever your intimate connections with Jehovah or his organization.

32, 33. (a) In view of Psalm 46:1, 2, why can it be said that God is nearer than any enemy? (b) From the apparent background of this psalm, how is it evident that God’s servants are never alone during distress? (c) How do we make God our Refuge?

32 As a faithful Christian keep ever in mind that you are never alone. Jehovah God, moreover, is nearer than any enemy. And as the psalmist put it at Psalm 46:1, 2: “God is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses. That is why we shall not fear, though the earth undergo change and though the mountains totter into the heart of the vast sea.”

33 The wording of this psalm seems to accord with the crucial time in the days of King Hezekiah, when Jerusalem was threatened by the king of Assyria. Hezekiah could have felt that he was all alone, but he realized that God is “a help that is readily to be found during distresses.” So he prayed to Jehovah, and the city was delivered from its distress. (Isa. 37:14-37) Therefore, when true Christians are in distress, they too can keep this psalm in mind. In order to make God our Refuge we must flee to him, and to do this we need ever to stick to his righteous principles. By trusting in him, sticking faithfully to his organization, we make Jehovah our secure Tower and Refuge.—Prov. 18:10.

34. What should we determine about the future, and with what grand result?

34 There is a time of great distress still ahead, when Gog of Magog, Satan the Devil, launches his foretold assault on us as Jehovah’s people. (Ezek. 38:1, 2, 8-12) But we are never alone, and Jehovah will help us to endure, whether we be in solitary confinement or not. We are determined to stand firm no matter what the future brings. In due time Jehovah God will go into vigorous action against all his enemies, and we will stand triumphant with his kingdom. After it is all over and the “great tribulation” is past, we will find that Jehovah has been our ready Help, our secure Height, our sure Refuge and our Strength.

[Picture on page 524]

By prayer and meditation on Bible texts those imprisoned for serving God have endured long isolation

Help from On High

“Keep on the watch and pray continually, that you may not enter into temptation.”—Matt. 26:41.

1, 2. (a) When the apostle Peter wrote the words, “Be vigilant with a view to prayers,” what event may he have had in mind? (b) What counsel did Jesus give the three apostles who had failed to “keep on the watch”?

“BUT the end of all things has drawn close. Be sound in mind, therefore, and be vigilant with a view to prayers.” When the apostle Peter wrote those words of counsel to Christians, he may well have had in mind the night that he, James and John had been advised by Jesus to pray. They were in the Garden of Gethsemane. The time for Jesus’ betrayal was at hand. Jesus said to the three: “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me.”—1 Pet. 4:7; Matt. 26:38.

2 Jesus then went a little way forward, fell upon his face and prayed to his heavenly Father: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” Returning to the three disciples, Jesus found them sleeping. He said to Peter: “Could you men not so much as watch one hour with me? Keep on the watch and pray continually, that you may not enter into temptation.”—Matt. 26:39-41.

3. Despite Jesus’ counsel, how did the apostles respond, prompting what comment from Jesus?

3 Again, for the second time, Jesus went off and prayed, asking God that His will take place. Then he went back and again found the three disciples sleeping, “for their eyes were heavy.” For the third time Jesus left them and prayed. Upon returning to the apostles, he said: “At such a time as this you are sleeping and taking your rest! Look! The hour has drawn near for the Son of man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” While he was speaking those very words, Judas Iscariot drew near with an armed crowd that Jesus might be taken into custody.—Matt. 26:42-47.

PRAYER NEEDED TO AVOID TEMPTATION

4. (a) What clear warning had the apostles received before they got into circumstances of temptation? (b) How did Peter react in the face of this warning?

4 Jesus’ disciples entered into temptation—in the face of warnings from their Master! The three apostles were at their post and were supposed to stay awake, but they reclined and fell asleep, while Jesus engrossed himself three times in prayer. True, it was probably past midnight and the disciples were naturally sleepy, but Jesus, knowing full well that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, had told them to watch and pray! (Matt. 26:41) They had been warned before they got into circumstances of temptation, Jesus saying: “All of you will be stumbled in connection with me on this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered about.”’ (Matt. 26:31) In this way they had been warned that the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 was about to undergo fulfillment. However, Peter answered Jesus’ warning, saying: “Although all the others are stumbled in connection with you, never will I be stumbled!” But Peter was told that he would do even worse—he would deny the Lord Jesus three times!—Matt. 26:31-35.

5. As the apostles faced temptation, what did they do, but what should they have done?

5 Jesus had set a fine example for his disciples in the matter of wakefulness and in being vigilant with a view to prayers. But the apostles failed to understand how Jesus’ words were going to take place. So what did they do? They slept over the matter instead of praying over it! They should have prayed over it, seeking help from on high. But here they were sleeping over it. They were not on the watch; they were not praying continually, and so were bound to enter into temptation.

6. (a) What is the “test” to come upon “the whole inhabited earth,” as Jesus foretold at Revelation 3:10? (b) Since the test is not over yet, what warning is there in this for Christians?

6 This experience of the three disciples reminds us of Jesus’ words given to “the angel” of the Philadelphia congregation, recorded at Revelation 3:10: “Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth.” Since the coming of the foretold “time of the end,” pressures from human sources and from invisible demon sources have indeed become terrific, in materialistic, faithless, nationalistic directions. The test has been to determine whether one is part of this wicked system of things or is in favor of God’s kingdom. The great temptation today is for a person to yield to these worldly pressures and attractions and to become a part of this system of things. This worldwide test in a comparatively short time period, like an “hour,” is not over as yet. Modern-day Christians are thus warned that they are in a day of temptation. They, too, like first-century Christians, need to watch and pray to avoid entering temptations.

7, 8. (a) Why does God allow tests to come upon Christians, and what means does God provide for our getting help from on high? (b) Entering into temptation is largely a matter of what, and so how does prayer help?

7 Since Christians today are faced with so many temptations, they need to know how to get out of them. How can you get out of temptation? Keep in mind that Jehovah God does not tempt anyone with what is bad, but he lets temptations come upon his faithful servants to test their integrity to him and their loyalty to his kingdom. But remember, when under temptations we have the ever-open, ever-present channel of prayer. We can get help from on high at any time.

8 As the Bible shows, entering temptation is largely a matter of desire. (Jas. 1:13-15) So watch that you do not cultivate wrong desire, for if you do, then enticement pulls you right into sin! We must be vigilant with a view to prayer, for prayer helps us to avoid selfish desire. Such sincere prayer puts to flight any selfish desire; it frees us from the cords of enticement with all their selfish pulling power. We need to pray in order to be watchful, and prayer, too, will purify our hearts. Yes, God will help us if we but ask him to do so. We need that help from on high because temptations are bound to come our way. When they do, remember the divine warning: Stay awake and pray!

HELP DURING TEMPTATIONS

9. What does the apostle Paul write about temptation at 1 Corinthians 10:13, and how does it relate to God’s faithfulness?

9 It is vital for Christians to realize that their faithful God does not allow them to be tempted beyond what they can bear. As the apostle Paul writes at 1 Corinthians 10:13: “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it.” This means that Jehovah God is faithful throughout the entire operation of the temptation, till the one in it knows how to deal with it by help from Jehovah, and he escapes from the temptation.

10, 11. (a) As shown by the experiences of the Israelites, what kind of temptations is the apostle particularly speaking about? (b) Why will such temptations come upon Christians too, and what does God allow us to manifest?

10 Now, we should keep in mind that the apostle Paul here at 1 Corinthians 10:13 is talking particularly about temptations, not about persecutions. He was thinking of temptations “common to men.” He said at the beginning of this verse thirteen: “No temptation has taken you except what is common to men.” Common to what men? Particularly common to the men of ancient Israel who were in a covenant with Jehovah. For in the preceding 1 Co 10:9-12 verses of this chapter the apostle talked about the temptations that came upon the natural Jews, and how thousands of them fell under the temptations. He brings up the matter of their experiences and their fall as a warning so that Christians may be cautious lest they fall under like circumstances. Those Israelites had contact with the pagans, and thousands of the Israelites fell to immorality, as the apostle Paul said: “Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand of them in one day.” (1 Cor. 10:8) They also turned to idol worship, to complaining and murmuring. Jehovah let these temptations come upon them to see what was in their hearts, whether they loved Jehovah their God or not.—Deut. 8:1-3.

11 So all such temptations come upon Christians today who are also in covenant relationship with Jehovah, since they are the antitypes of those ancient peoples, the natural Israelites and the “vast mixed company.” (Ex. 12:37, 38; Num. 11:4-6) By allowing us to experience temptations, Jehovah can know what kind of people we are at heart. God, then, does make a way out of the temptation but he lets us prove what we really are, what is in our hearts, that we hate what is bad and love what is good.

THE WAY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS

12. Does God make a way out of temptations by simply removing the temptation, and how does an experience involving Moses illustrate your answer?

12 Jehovah promises in his Word that “along with the temptation he will also make the way out.” How? By simply removing the temptation? No, God does not remove the temptation, as when one is tempted with regard to immorality or murmuring. We do well to remember that when Aaron and Miriam complained about their brother Moses, that he had too prominent a position and that they did not have enough influence, God did not relieve these two complainers of the trial by putting Moses out of office, did he? No, he let Moses stay on, for he was Jehovah’s choice and was the right man for the job. Aaron and Miriam were the ones who had to come into line. How? They had to get the theocratic viewpoint of things. They had to realize that Jehovah God is King and that they must be subject to his arrangements. (Num. 12:1-16) So we cannot expect that when temptations come we can wiggle out of the test and escape before the temptation is over. No, the temptation must run the limit; then God will know whether we have integrity and loyalty to him.

13, 14. (a) If we cannot avoid being subjected to a temptation, how, then, does God make a way out for us? (b) What experience of ancient Israel shows that Jehovah does not subject his people to tests that they cannot endure? (c) How does Joseph’s experience illustrate the need for advance preparation?

13 Where, then, is the escape, if we cannot avoid being in the presence of certain temptations? Well, God gives us a way out by giving us his theocratic principles, which, if we follow them, will aid us to avoid doing what is wrong. Further, God knows how much we can endure. Hence he does not let tests come upon us that we could not possibly endure. For example, when the Israelites came out of Egypt, the Bible account says: “God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines just because it was near, for God said: ‘It might be the people will feel regret when they see war and will certainly return to Egypt.”’ (Ex. 13:17) Thus God did not let them go the direct route to the Promised Land via “the Gaza Strip.” Israel was not equipped for war or prepared to meet the well-trained troops of the Philistines. So Jehovah kindly chose the Red Sea route for his people. Thus Israel was not subjected to war with the Philistines at that time, for God knew they could not endure such a test.

14 We can be thankful that Jehovah does not subject us to tests we cannot endure; we can also be very grateful that he prepares us beforehand so we can endure the temptations and come through with integrity. To this end God builds us up spiritually beforehand. But woe to us if we do not take advantage of this God-provided advance preparation! Consider the test that came upon Joseph when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to commit immorality. (Gen. 39:7-12) Can we be like Joseph? He had informed himself beforehand as to what God’s laws were regarding such matters.

15. (a) What success will we have if we prepare in advance for temptations? (b) How will ‘fleeing from idolatry’ help us in overcoming temptations?

15 Yes, Jehovah God shows us the way out of temptation largely by describing beforehand what kind of conduct he expects of us. (Gal. 5:19-23) Then we can run the gamut of temptations from A to Z and come through victoriously, keeping integrity, proving faithful under test. But we need to heed the apostle Paul’s counsel. Right after speaking about how God will help us in the matter of temptation he adds: “Therefore, my beloved ones, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14) Idolatry is by no means limited to the worship of literal idols, images, statues and so forth. The apostle Paul warned that ‘covetousness is idolatry.’ This is because covetousness causes one to make an idol of oneself, and selfish cravings become the uppermost thing in one’s life. But if we “flee” from all forms of idolatry, we are better prepared to face the future and the temptations that may yet arise.—Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 6:18.

16, 17. (a) When one is faced with a temptation, why is relying on one’s own strength unwise? (b) What attitude must we avoid, as shown by the example of ancient Israel when at the very border of the Promised Land? (c) What course of action will enable us to join in expressing the apostle’s words at 2 Timothy 4:17, 18?

16 Whenever Jehovah permits a temptation to come upon us, let us do something to stand firm! For one thing we can persevere in prayer and seek help from on high! In this way we will not rely on our own strength. As the apostle Paul says: “Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12) No matter how long a Christian has been serving God, he still has to contend with the human element, his fallen flesh. If humans in the past have been tempted by certain situations at critical times and have fallen, then we too as humans can also fall. We are still in this wicked system of things with all its many temptations to go the wrong way. The end is near, but we must be careful not to think we cannot fall. No, it is wise not to think we are so strong in ourselves that we cannot fall. Israel was so close to the Promised Land, and yet, despite their closeness, serious temptations were present, and 24,000 fell on the very border of the land. So today we must never minimize the danger of falling into temptation. Wait on Jehovah God, and the temptation will pass. Jehovah God will prove true to his Word and will bring us out of it.

17 Therefore trust in God when faced with temptations. Plead in prayer, saying: “Our Father in the heavens . . . do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.” Then we will be able to say with the apostle Paul: “The Lord stood near me and infused power into me . . . The Lord will deliver me from every wicked work and will save me.”—Matt. 6:9-13; 2 Tim. 4:17, 18.

18, 19. (a) What kind of temptation has come upon thousands of Jehovah’s people in recent times, and how have they resisted the temptation? (b) Faced with the temptation of “blood transfusion or death,” how did a Witness from Surinam find a way out of the test?

18 There are thousands of Witnesses who have in recent times faced temptations to take blood transfusions. A few have fallen into this temptation under pressure from doctors and others, but Jehovah’s people as a whole have resisted this temptation, holding firm to his Word, which clearly says: ‘Abstain from blood.’ (Acts 15:20, 29) And they have done this by sticking close to Bible principles and by means of prayer. Consider the Witness from Surinam who suddenly became very ill while on a ship. He was taken off the ship at Haiti, there to receive medical treatment. A doctor explained that because of a bleeding stomach ulcer it was either “blood transfusion or death.”

19 How did this Witness react to the tremendous temptation? He wrote: “There I was, more than a thousand miles from my family. They probably did not even know that I was in this dangerous condition. There were none of my Christian brothers with whom I could talk. The words ‘blood transfusion or death’ ran through my mind. Apparently those at the hospital thought I was surely to die. I prayed to Jehovah. Even though I felt lonesome at times, I could always talk to Him. What a wonderful thing to be able to throw all one’s anxiety upon Jehovah, in full faith that he cares for his servants. If I would die, then I knew that I would receive a resurrection. The resurrection hope strengthened me in my decision not to accept blood.” This Witness was eventually delivered from the temptation, and he recovered without a blood transfusion. By adhering to Bible principles and by being vigilant with a view to prayers he was triumphant over the temptation.

PRAYER NOT HINDERED BY ISOLATION

20-22. Explain why prayer is a marvelous help from on high.

20 When we need divine help quickly, prayer is the avenue most accessible for immediate and direct aid. Since Jehovah God does not sleep, there is no delay. “The one guarding you cannot possibly be drowsy.” (Ps. 121:3) There is instant help from on high for those who go to God in prayer. It is not like having to write a letter and then waiting some days before an answer is received. And there is so much to pray for, not only for ourselves but for our Christian brothers too.

21 Not only is communication by prayer instantaneous; it can be transmitted through every kind of isolation barrier. (Jonah 2:1-10) The missionary imprisoned in Red China for five years in isolation had the prophet Daniel in mind when he said: “I prayed three times a day in full sight of all who might pass my cell.” The result? He said: “What spiritual strength and comfort prayer brought to me! And by this means all came to know me as a Christian minister.” What marvelous help from on high in answer to prayer!—Dan. 6:10.

22 A Christian, moreover, can pray for the comforting holy spirit, which penetrates every kind of barrier, prison walls and bars. Nothing can keep God’s spirit away when we request it and are worthy of receiving it.

23-25. (a) What threat did not frighten a Christian youth in Guadeloupe, and why not? (b) Because of his keeping integrity, what was the outcome?

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The Watchtower, September 1, 1972