... the text for June 19, 2020

You became precious in my eyes... and I have loved you. - Isa. 43:4

This is Jehovah talking to you and me. To all of us. The Bible is abundantly rich with such expressions from our God, Jehovah. He is constantly reassuring us, like the text yesterday, about listening and obeying. We listen and obey because we in turn love our Father.

The comments today make this point:

No matter what trials his people may face, Jehovah promises to sustain and comfort them.

He feels this way for us imperfect, miserable humans, who tail and scratch out an existence on this planet? You bet He does. As an organization, we have observed his promises being fulfilled daily! Many have died from this disease rampaging around the globe. His promises of a resurrection is wondeerful to meditate upon, and we look forward to seeing many come back, our friends, our relatives, those who don't know Jehovah will have to chance to learn about him. It will be wonderful.

But, we must all suffer before we get there. Each of us < b>will
be tested. We have to develop the firm resolve to trust our God, Jehovah, who is a "mighty One" who will act on our behalf.
This pandemic, though scary, is helping us to stay calm, look to Jehovah, and humbly follow His direction and guidance. No need to panic at all.

As the days get worse, meditating on the scriptures we read will help us focus on Jehovah, and His purposes, and not dwell on our own private misery.

Stay safe!

... the text for June 6, 2020

Can a woman forget her nursing child or have no compassion for the son of her womb? Even if these women forget, I would never forget you. - Isa. 49:19

We all know the strong bond between a mother and her baby. Can you realize that Jehovah really cares for you? Isaiah's book is full of expressions from Jehovah, such as the one above. Yesterday, we learned that when we're distressed, He is distressed also. Today, He expresses that he loves us just like a mother loves her child.

I have to maditate on this because I feel unloved. I don't feel worthy, because I make a lot of mistakes, and can't seem to keep it together. Sometimes, when I do good, I feel that no credit is due to me because I do something right, like the debt is just too much.

So, knowing Jehovah really feels that way is a comfort to me, that even if I'm alone or disconnected from everything, I am not truly abandoned. I have to remind myself that God will turn his attention to the world at large, and all of us, yes, all of us, will be judged based on what's in our hearts. There is no escape, so if you think you can balance the sheet by showing everyone how good you can be, but if your heart is not complete, Jehovah will know it.

I think about the simplicity of the events in Genesis. Cain made a sacrifice of vegetables to Jehovah. The sacrifice was fine, it was an acceptable sacrifice. How do we know? Later, the Israelites were given the option of doing grain offerings and other kinds that didn't involve meat, or life. So, the sacrifice was good, in itself.

So, what was wrong? Why did God not accept Cain's sacrifice? Because, Jehovah looked at Cain's heart, and found something there that he didn't like. So, the sacrifice was rejected.

Knowing this about Jehovah helps us to really examine ourselves, our motives, our personality. We have to tell ourselves the cold truth. We can't hide anything or cover it up, so why try? Why fool other humans? It may gain you prestige and popularity, but in the long run, it doesn't trick our Father. Can we use it as a bargaining chip, "Hey, everyone likes me, so I get a ticket to paradise." No, it doesn't work that way. Jehovah isn't impressed by our showing off.

Jehovah loves us so dearly, and He has so much compassion for us sinful humans. And that is truly beautiful. Let us not abuse it.

His justice is perfect, so if I stand before him, and there's something in me that's displeasing to Him, I'm still accountable. No blame can be placed on anyone else. So, again, we're reminded of the love and mercy and compassion, but it's an incentive to do our best to find favor with Jehovah.

Continue to do your best.