May Your Volunteer Spirit Bring Praise to Jehovah God!

"Because of the people's volunteering, praise Jehovah!" -Judges 5:2.

"CAN a man be of use to God? Can anyone with insight be of benefit to him?  Does the Almighty care that you are righteous, or does he gain anything because you follow the course of integrity?"  (Job 22:1-3) Have you ever wondered about the answers to questions such as these?  When Eliphaz the Temanite First posed them to Job, Eliphaz  no doubt believed that the answer was no.  His associate, Bildad the Shuhite, even argued that a righteous standing before God is not possible for humans. -Read Job 25:4. 

These false comforters claimed that our efforts to serve Jehovah loyally are of no benefit to him at all, that our value to God is no more than that of a moth, a maggot, or a worm.  (Job 4:19; 25:6) At first glance, we might conclude that Eliphaz and Bildad displayed a humble attitude.  (Job 22:29) After all, from the top of a high mountain or from the  window of an airplane, human activity may seem insignificant. However, is that how Jehovah views our contribution to the Kingdom work as he looks at our planet from his lofty perspective?  Jehovah made his feelings known when he reproved Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar for speaking falsehood but took delight in Job, referring to him as "my servant."  (Job 42:7, 8)  Thus, a person can indeed "be of use to God." 

WHAT DO YOU GIVE HIM?"

Elihu was not corrected by Jehovah for asking: "If you are righteous, what do you give him [God}: what does he receive from you?"  (Job 35:7)  Was Elihu suggesting that our efforts   in God's service are pointless?  No. He was saying that Jehovah does not depend on our worship.  Jehovah is complete. We cannot make him richer or stronger. On the contrary, any goodness, talent, or strength that we possess is a trust from God, and he takes note of how we use it.

Jehovah considers acts of loyal love expressed toward his servants as being rendered to him personally.  "The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah, and He will repay him for what he does,"says Proverbs  19:17.  Is this scriptures implying that Jehovah takes note of every act of kindness performed in behalf of lowly ones?  Can we conclude that the Creator of the universe considers himself to be indebted to mere humans who perform deeds of mercy and that he views  such giving as loans that he repays with favor and blessings?  Yes, and this was verified by God's own Son. -Read Luke 14:13, 14. 

Jehovah invited the prophet Isaiah to speak on His behalf, revealing His pleasure in having faithful humans take part int he outworking of His purpose.  (Isaiah 6:8-10)  Isaiah willing accepted the invitation.   Today, thousands are demonstrating that same "Her I am! Send me! spirit in taking up challenging assignments in Jehovah's service. Still, one might ask:  'Does my individual effort really matter?  While it is gracious of Jehovah to allow me to volunteer and participate , will he not provide whatever is needed to fulfill his Word no matter how much I personally choose to do in his service?' Consider how the events that unfolded in the days of Deborah and Barak answer these questions.

Next time: May Your Volunteer Spirit Bring Praise to Jehovah God ! -PARALYZED BY FEAR, THEN FORTIFIED BY GOD

From the jw.org publications