Continue: Secure In 'God's Secret Place'

Through the centuries, certain rulers have fanned the flames of divisive international strife. They have also demanded that reverence be directed to them or to various images or symbols. But Jehovah has never let his faithful people succumb to such a "pestilence." (Daniel 3:1, 2, 20:27; 6:7-10, 16-22) As a loving international brotherhood, we give Jehovah exclusive devotion, maintain Scriptural neutrality, and impartially acknowledge that " in every nation the man that fears [God] and works righteousness is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:34, 35; Exodus 204-6; John 13:34, 35; 17:16; 1 Peter 5:8, 9) Although we suffer "adversities" in the form of persecution as Christians, we are joyful and spiritually secure "in the secret place of the Most High."

Having Jehovah as our refuge,we draw comfort from the words: " With his pinions he will block approach to you, and under his wings you will take refuge. His trueness will be a large shield and bulwark." (Psalm 91:4 ) God protects us, even as a parent bird hovers protectively over its young. (Isaiah 31:5) ' With his pinions he blocks approach to us. Broadly, a bird's "pinions" are its wings. With them a bird covers its young protecting them from predators. Like mere fledglings, we are secure under Jehovah's figurative pinions because we have taken refuge in his true Christian organization.- Ruth 2:12; Psalm 5:1, 11.

We trust in "trueness," or faithfulness. It is like a large shield of ancient times, often doorlike in shape and big enough to comer a person's entire body. (Psalm 5:12) Confidence in such protection frees us from fear. (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 84:11) Like our faith, God's trueness is a large protective shield that stops Satan's burning missiles and wards off enemy blows. (Ephesians 6:16) IT is also a bulwark, a strong defensive mound behind which we stand firm.

Next time: 'We Will Not Be Afraid'