Conclusion of Who Is God?

4. Does Jehovah care about us?

     Does widespread suffering mean that Jehovah is a God who does not care about us?   Some people claim that he makes us suffer to test us, but this is  not true.  Read James 1:13. 

God has granted man the dignity of free will. Do we not appreciate our freedom to choose to serve God?  (Joshua 24:15)  But many choose to do bad things to others, so suffering abounds.  It saddens Jehovah to see such injustice. Read Genesis 67:5, 6. 

Jehovah is a God who cares about us.  He wants us to enjoy life. Soon he will eliminate suffering and those who cause it. Meanwhile, he has good reason to allow suffering for a limited time.  In lesson 8, we will learn what that reason is. Read 2 Peter 2:9, 3:7, 13. 

5.  How do we draw closer to God?

    
       Jehovah invites us to draw close to him by speaking to him in prayer.  He is interested in us individually.  (Psalm 65:2; 145:18) He is willing to forgive.  He recognizes our efforts to please him, even if we sometimes  fail. So despite our imperfection, we really can enjoy a close relationship with God. Read Psalm 103:12-14; James 4:8. 

Since Jehovah has given us life, we should love him more than we love anyone else.  (Mark 12:30) As you express your love for God by learning more about him and doing as he asks, you will draw ever closer to him. Read 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 5:3. 

Next time: Is the Good News Really From God?

From the Awake! magazine, 2014