"Rejoice in the Hope"

The apostle Paul encouraged fellow believers in Rome to "rejoice in the hope"  of everlasting life.  (Romans 12:12) That was timely advice for the Romans.  Less than a decade after Paul wrote to them, they came under severe persecution, and some were tortured to death by order of the Emperor Nero.  Their faith that God would give them the promised crown of life undoubtedly sustained them in their suffering.  What of us today?

As Christians, we too expect to be persecuted.  (2 Timothy 3:12) Further, we realize that "time and unforseen occurrence" befall us all.  (Ecclesiastes 9:11) An accident can take the life of someone we love. A fatal illness can strike down a parent or a close friend.  Unless we keep our Kingdom hope clearly in focus, we may be endangered spiritually when such trials occur. Accordingly, we do well to ask ourselvs. 'Do I "rejoice in the hope"?  How often do I take the time to meditate on it?  Is the coming Paradise real to me?  Do I see myself there? Am I as eager for the end of the present system of things to come as I was when I first learned the truth?  This last question deserves serious thought.  Why? Because if we are in good health, earn a comfortable living, and live in a part of the earth taht is more or less unaffected  by war, food shortages, or natural disasters, we could-at least for the moment-lose sight of the pressing need for God's new world to come.

Paul further counseled the Romans to "endure under tribulation."  (Romans 12:12 Paul was no stranger to tribulation.  Once, he saw in a vision a man who invited him to "step over into Macedonia"  to help people there to learn about Jehovah.  (Acts 16:9)  At that, Paul together with Luke, Silas and Timothy, set sail for Europe.  What awaited those zealous missionaries? Tribulation! After they had preached in the Macedonian city of Philippi, Paul and Silas were flogged and thrown into prison.  Clearly, some citizens of Philippi were not merely indifferent to the Kingdom message-they were bitterly opposed.  Did this turn of events cause the zealous missionaries to lose their joy?  No. After thay had been beaten and thrown into prison,m "about the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God with song."  (Acts 16:25, 26) Of coursek, the pain from the beating gave Paul and Silas no joy, but that is not what the two missionaries focused  on.  Their ways in which he was blessing them.  By joyfully 'enduring under tribulation.'  Paul and Silas served as fine examples for their brothers in Philippi and elsewhere.

 Paul wrote: "Persevere in prayer."  (Romans 12:12) Do you pray when you have anxious moments? What do you pray about?    Likely you mention your specific problem and ask for Jehovah's help.  But you can also include expression of thanksgiving for the blessings you enjoy.  When problems arise , reflecting on Jehovah's goodness in his dealings with us helps us to "rejoice in the hope."  David, whose life was far from trouble free, wrote:  "Many things you yourself have done, O Jehovah my God, even your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us; there is none to be compared to you. Were I inclined to tell and speak of them, they have become more numerous than I can recount."  (Psalm 40:5) If, like David, we regularly meditate on the blessings that we receive from Jehovah, we will find it impossible not to be joyful.

Next time: Keep a Positive Spirit

The Watchtower,