Jehovah Sifts The Good From The Bad

Third, as Jehovah searches through us, he carefully sifts, for the good. For instance, when Jehovah decreed that the entire apostate dynasty of King Jeroboam was to be executed, he ordered that one of the king's sons Abijah, be given a decent burial. Why? "Somethings good toward Jehovah the God of Israel has been found in him." ((1 Kings 14:1, 10-13) Jehovah, in effect, sifted through the heart of that young an and found "something good" there. However, small or insignificant that bit of good may have been, Jehovah found it worth noting his Word. He even rewarded it, showing an appropriate degree of mercy to that one member of an apostate household.

An even more positive example may be found in good King Jehoshaphat. When the king committed a foolish act, Jehovah's prophet told him: "For this there is indignation against you from the person of Jehovah." What a sobering thought! But Jehovah's message did not end there. It went on: "Nevertheless, there are good things that have been found with you." (2 Chronicles 19:1-3) So Jehovah's righteous anger did not blind him to the good in Jehoshaphat. How unlike imperfect humans! When upset with others, we may tend to become blind to the good in them. And when we sin, the disappointment, shame and guilt that we feel may blind us to the good in ourselves. Remember, though, that if we repent of our sins and strive hard not to repeat them, Jehovah forgives us.

As Jehovah sifts through you, he discards such sins, much the way a prospector panning for gold discards worthless gravel. What about your good qualities and works? Ah, these are the "nuggets" he keeps! Have you ever noticed the way fond parents treasure their children's drawings or school projects, sometimes for decades after the children have forgotten them? Jehovah is the fondest Parent. As long as we remain faithful to him, he never forgets our good works and qualities. In fact, he would view it as unrighteous to forget these, and he is never unrighteous. (Hebrews 6:10) He also sifts us in another way.

Jehovah looks beyond our imperfections and sees our potential. To illustrate: People who love works of art will go to great lengths to restore badly damaged paintings or other works. When, for example, in the National Gallery in London, England, someone with a shotgun damaged a Leonardo Da Vinci drawing worth some $30 million, no one suggested that since the drawing was now damaged, it should be discarded. Work to restore the nearly 500-year old masterpiece began immediately. Why? Because it was precious in the eyes of the art lovers. Are you not worth more than a chalk and charcoal drawing? In God's eyes you certainly are-however damaged yo may be by inherited imperfection. (Psalm 72:12-14) Jehovah God, the skilled Creator of the human family, will do what is necessary to restore to perfection all of those who respond to his loving care. -Acts 3:21; Romans 8:20-22.

Yes, Jehovah sees the good in us that we many not see in ourselves. And as we serve him, he will make the good grow until we are eventually perfect. No matter how Satan's world has treated us, Jehovah values his faithful servants as desirable, or precious. -Haggai 2:7; footnote.

Next time: Jehovah Actively Demonstrates His Love

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002