JEHOVAH EMPOWERS THE TIRED ONE

Spiritual Provisions to Invigorate Us

Diligent study of the Scriptures with the help of Christian publications can invigorate and sustain us.   The psalmist sang:  "Happy is the man . . .[whose]delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.  And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water, that gives its own fruit in its season and the foilage of which does not wither, and everything he does will succeed."  (Psalm 1:1-3) Just as we must eat to sustain physical strength, we need to take in spiritual food provided by God through his Word and Christians publications to maintain our spiritual strength.  Therefore, meaningful study and meditation are essential.

It is rewarding indeed to meditate on "the deep things of God."  (1 Corinthians 2:10)  But when can we find time for meditation?  Abraham's son Isaac "was out walking in order to meditate in the field at about the falling of evening."  (Genesis 24:63-67)  The psalmist David 'meditated on God during  the night watches.'   (Psalm 63:6)  We may study God's Word and meditate on it in the morning, in the evening, at night-indeed,at any time.  Such study and meditation lead to another of Jehovah's spiritually strengthening provisions-prayer.

Regular prayer to God helps to invigorate us.  May we therefore "persevere in prayer."   (Romans 12:12)  At times,we need to make a specific request for the wisdom and strength needed to cope with a trial.  (James 1:5-8) Let us also thank and praise God when we observe the outworking of his purposes  or see that he has strengthened  us to carry on in his service.  (Philippians 4:6, 7)  If we remain close to Jehovah in prayer, he will never abandon us.  "Look!" Sang David,  "God is my  helper." -Psalm 54:4.

Our heavenly Father invigorates us and strengthens us by means of his holy spirit, or active force.  Paul wrote:  "I bend my knees to the Father . . .to the end that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory to be made might in the man you are inside with power through his  holy spirit.  (Ephesians 3:14-16)  We should pray for holy spirit, confident that Jehovah will bless us with it.  Jesus reasoned: If  a child asks for a fish, will a loving father give him a serpent?  Of course not.  Hence, he concluded:  "If  you, although being [sinful and thus more or less] wicked, know h ow to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give  holy spirit to those asking him!"  (Luke 11:11-13)  Let us pray with such confidence and always remember that faithful servants of God can be "made mighty" with power through his spirit.

Next time: The Congregation a Strengthening Aid

Watchtower, 2000