A PLACE OF SECURITY

The congregation also serves as a shelter, a protective refuge where you can feel secure.  In it you will find honest hearted people who are striving to do what is right in God's eyes.  Many of them have done away with the same bad practices and attitudes that you may be struggling to overcome.  (Titus 3:3) They can help you, for we are told to "go on carrying the burdens of one another." (Galatians  6:2; Philippians 2:12) Yet, Jehovah has provided the Christian congregation as a wonderful means of help and support.  No matter how distressing your problems may be, you have a valuable resource available to you-a loving congregation that will stand by you in times of affliction or deprivation. -Compare Luke 10:29-37; Acts 20:35.

Among those who would rally to your support are "gifts of men" -appointed congregation elders, or overseers, who shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly.  (Ephesians  4:8, 11, 12,; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2, 3) Regarding them, Isaiah prophesied: "Each one must prove to  be like a hiding place from the wind and a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless country, like the shadow of a heavy crag in an exhausted land." -Isaiah 32:2. 

When Jesus was on earth, loving oversight by the religious leaders  was sadly lacking.  The condition of the people moved him deeply, and he especially wanted to help them spiritually. Jesus pitied them because "they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36) How  well this describes the present-day plight of many who endured heart-wrenching problems with no one to turn to for spiritual help and comfort!  But Jehovah's people do have spiritual assistance, for he promised:  "I will raise up over them shepherds who will actually shepherd them; and they will be afraid no more, neither will they be struck with any terror, and none will be missing." -Jeremiah 23:4.

Get to know the appointed elders in the congregation.  They have much experience in applying the knowledge of God, for they have met the qualifications for overseers set forth  in the Bible. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)  Do not hesitate to approach one of them if you need spiritual help to overcome a habit or a trait that conflicts with God's requirements.  You will find that the elders follow Paul's admonition: "Speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all." -1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8; 5:14.

Next time: ENJOY SECURITY WITH JEHOVAH'S PEOPLE

The Book -KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995