MAKE YOUR LIFE SUCCESSFUL!

Avoid Envying Wrongdoers

Many young ones choose to forget Jehovah because they feel that being a Witness is too restrictive.  A brother in Spain recalls how he felt as a teenager:  "I was attracted to the world because the truth seemed difficult and rigid.  It meant sitting, studying, going to meetings, putting on a tie and those were not things I enjoyed doing."  Do you sometimes feel that you are missing out because you serve God?  Perhaps it will surprise you  to know that one of the writers of the Bible experienced those very feelings.  Please open your Bible and read Psalm 73. 

Let us examine this psalm in some detail.  Verses 2 and 3 say:  "As for me, my feet had almost turned aside, my steps had nearly been made to slip.  For I became envious of the boasters, when I would see the very peace of the wicked people."  According to the  superscription, this psalm was written by Asaph.  He was a Levite musician and contemporary of King David.  (1 Chronicles 25:1, 2; 2 Chronicles 29:30)  Although he had the fine privilege of serving in God's temple, he  "became envious" of men who boasted about their lawlessness.  Things appeared to go well for them; they apparently enjoyed peace and security.  In fact, their seeming successes 'exceeded the imaginations of their hearts.'  (Verses 5, 7)  They would talk about their exploits  "in an elevated style,"  that is, in an arrogant manner.  (Verse 8)  "They would put their mouths in the heavens and their tongue would walk about in the earth,' showing regard fro no one-either in heaven  or on earth. -Verse 9.

Perhaps the same can be  said about your peers at school.  You may hear them shamelessly boast of their sexual escapades, their wild parties and their indulgence in alcohol and drugs.  When you contrast your life of so-called pleasures with the narrow way you must walk as a Christian, you might sometimes feel "envious of the boasters."  (Matthew 7:13, 14)  Asaph himself got to the point where he exclaimed:  "Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart and that I wash my hands in innocence itself.  And I came to be plagued all day long."  (Verses 13, 14)  Yes, he began to question the value of serving God and leading an upright life.

Next time: The Conclusion of Avoid Envying Wrongdoers

Watchtower, 1999

BIBLE READING - PROFITABLE AND PLEASURABLE

READING worthwhile material is a beneficial pursuit. French political philosopher Montesquieu (Charles-Louis de Secondat wrote: "For me, study has always been the sovereign remedy for the weariness of life. No distress has ever come upon me that an hour's reading has not dispelled." To a supreme degree, this is true of Bible reading. said the inspired psalmist: "The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise. The orders from Jehovah are upright, causing the heart to rejoice." -Pslam 19:7, 8.

As the Bible's Author, Jehovah God has preserved it through the centuries of virulent opposition from its enemies, both religious and secular. Since it is his will that "all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth," he has seen to it that his Word is made available to all humankind. (1 Timothy 2:4) It is estimated that about 80 percent of earth's inhabitants can be reached by the use of 100 languages. the text of the entire Bible is available in 370 languages, and parts of the Scriptures can be read in a further 1,860 languages and dialects. Jehovah wants his people to read his Word. He blesses his servants who give attention to his Word, yes, who read it daily. -Psalm 1:1, 2.

Next time: Bible Reading Required of Overseers

Watchtower, 2000