JEHOVAH BLESSES AND PROTECTS THOSE WHO ARE OBEDIENT

Obedience in the Face of Gog's Attack

Soon, Satan's entire wicked system will be destroyed in an unprecedented "great tribulation."  (Matthew 24:21) No doubt prior to and during that time, God's people will experience  major tests of their faith and obedience. For instance, the Bible tells us that Satan,  in his role as "Gog of the land of Magog," will make an all-out attack  against Jehovah's servants, mobilizing hordes that are described as "a numerous military force . . . , like clouds to cover the land." (Ezekiel 38:2, 14-16) Outnumbered and unarmed God's people will look to the refuge of Jehovah's "pinions," which he extends to shield the obedient. 

This situation reminds us of Israel's Exodus from Egypt. After striking Egypt with ten devastating plagues, Jehovah led his people, not on the shortest route toward the Promised Land, but down to the Red Sea, where they could easily be cornered and attacked.  From a military standpoint, that seemed a disastrous move. If you had been there, would you have obeyed Jehovah's word through Moses and marched down to the Red Sea with full confidence, knowing that the Promised Land lay in a somewhat different direction? -Exodus 14:1-4.

As we read in Exodus 14, we see how Jehovah delivered his people in an awesome display of power.  How such accounts can strengthen our faith when we take the time to study and reflect upon them!  (2 Peter  2:9) Strong faith, in turn fortifies  us to obey Jehovah, even when his requirements seem to go contrary  to human reasoning.  (Proverbs 3:5, 6)  So ask yourself, 'Am I striving to build up my faith through diligent Bible study, prayer and meditation, as well as by regular association with God's people?' -Hebrews 10:24, 25; 12:1-3. f

Obedience Instills Hope

Those who make obedience to Jehovah their way of life experience even now the fulfillment of Proverbs 1:33, which says:  "As for the one listening  [obediently] to me, he will reside in security  and be undisturbed  from dread of calamity." How marvelously these comforting words will apply during Jehovah's coming day of vengeance!  In fact, Jesus told his disciples:  "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves  erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near."  (Luke 21:28)  Clearly, only those obedient to God will have the confidence to heed these words. -Matthew 7:21. 

Another reason for confidence is that "the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) Today, Jehovah does not inspire prophets as in the past; instead he has commissioned a faithful slave class to provide timely spiritual food to his household.  (Matthew 24:45-47) How important, therefore, that we have an obedient attitude toward  that "slave"! As the following article will show, such obedience  also reflects our attitude toward Jesus, the 'slave's' master.  He is the One to whom "the obedience of the peoples belongs.' -Genesis 49:10.

Next time: CULTIVATE OBEDIENCE AS THE END DRAWS NEAR

From the Watchtower magazine, 2002