Keep in Expectation!

"Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it!" -HABAKKUK 2:3.

JEHOVAH'S worshippers  have long lived in expectation of the fulfillment of inspired prophecies.  For example, Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would be desolated, and that is what occurred at Babylonian hands in 607 B.C.E. (Jeremiah 25:8-11) Isaiah, who was inspired to foretell that Jehovah would bring about a restoration, declared:  "Happy are all those keeping in expectation of him." (Isaiah 30:18)  Micah, whose prophecies also involved God's ancient people, personally resolved: "I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah." (Micah 7:7)  For centuries, God's servants also lived in expectation  of the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah, or Christ. -Luke 3:15; 1 Peter 1:10-12. 

God's present-day servants also keep in expectation, for prophecies about the Messiah are still undergoing fulfillment.  Through the Messianic Kingdom, Jehovah will soon put an end to human suffering by destroying the wicked and delivering his people  from this unstable world lying in Satan's power.  (1 John 5:19) Let us therefore remain alert and fully aware that this system is rapidly nearing its end. 

As Jehovah's servants, we yearn to see God's will take place, in heaven, also on earth." (Matthew 6:10)  After looking forward to the end of this system for what may seem to be a long time, however, some may wonder, 'Do we still have sound reasons to keep in expectation?' Let us see.  

Next time: Keep in Expectation! - WHY KEEP IN EXPECTATION?

From the Watchtower  magazine 

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

RESPOND TO JEHOVAH'S LOVE

We can only endeavor to count the various manifestations of Jehovah's unfailing love for us. The psalmist David sang:  "To me, how precious your thoughts are! O God, how vast is the sum of them! If I try to count them, they outnumber the grains of sand." (Psalm 139:17, 18) We should allow these thoughts to nurture in us a desire to love Jehovah deeply in return for his loving care for us. By all means, then, let us give our very best to him. 

There are many ways to express our love for Jehovah.  For example, we show love for God and neighbor by having a zealous share in the Kingdom-preaching work.  (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) We show that we truly love Jehovah by enduring tests of faith as integrity keepers.  ( Read Psalm 84:11; James 1:2-5.)  If our trials become severe, we can be sure that God is aware of our suffering and will help us, for we are precious to him. -Psalm 56:8. 

Our love for Jehovah moves us to meditate on his creative works and other marvelous deeds.  We show that we love God and highly value his Word by diligently studying the Bible. Love for Jehovah draws us ever closer to him in prayer.  And our love for God grows deeper as we reflect on the ransom sacrifice he provided for our sins.  (1 John 2:1, 2) These are just some of the many reasons we have for loving Jehovah in response to his enduring love for us.  

Next time: Keep in Expectation!

From the Watchtower magazine 

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

SHOW GRATITUDE FOR THE RANSOM

The undeserved gift of Jesus' ransom sacrifice was given so that "we might gain life." (1 John 4:9) Referring to this superlative expression of God's  love, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Christ died for ungodly men at the appointed time.   For hardly would anyone die for a good man someone may dare to die.  But God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) This greatest expression of God's love opened to mankind the prospect of having a favored standing with Jehovah. 

A few feel Jehovah's enduring love in a very special way.  (John 1:12, 13; 3:5-7)  Having been appointed by holy spirit, they have become "God's children." (Romans 8:15, 16) Paul described anointed Christians as having 'been raised up and seated together in the heavenly places in union with Christ Jesus.' (Ephesians 2:6) They occupy this spiritual position because they have been 'sealed with the promised holy spirit, which is a token in advance of their inheritance,' that is, 'the hope of reserved for them in the heavens.' -Ephesians 1:13, 14; Colossians 1:5.

For the vast majority of mankind who exercise faith in the ransom, the way is open to be Jehovah's friends with the prospect of being adopted as children of God and living forever in the promised earthly Paradise.  Thus, by means of the ransom, Jehovah shows his love for the world of mankind.  (John 3:16) If we hope to live forever on earth and we continue to serve Jehovah faithfully, we can be assured that he will make life pleasant for us in the new world.  How fitting it is that we view the ransom as the greatest evidence of God's enduring love for us! 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love - RESPOND TO JEHOVAH'S LOVE

From the Watchtower magazine 

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

A loving father takes time to listen to his children when they want to talk to him.  He wants to know their concerns and anxieties because he cares about what is in their heart. Our heavenly Father, Jehovah listens to us when we approach him through the precious privilege of prayer.

We can approach Jehovah in prayer at any time.  He has placed no restrictions on us. He is our Friend who is always ready to give us a hearing ear.  Taylene, quoted earlier, says:  "You can say anything and everything to him." When we express our most intimate thoughts to God in prayer, he may answer us through a Bible passage, an article in a magazine, or an encouraging word from a fellow believe.   Jehovah hears our pleas and understands us even when no one else does.  His response to our prayers is  a beautiful expression of his enduring love for us. 

We can learn much from prayers recorded in Gods' Word. At times, therefore, we may find it very beneficial  to consider such prayers during family worship. Reflecting on how Jehovah's servants of the past expressed their deepest thoughts to God may help us to enrich our own prayers.   For instance, consider Jonah's contrite prayer from the belly of a huge fish.  (Jonah 11:17-2:10)  Review Solomon's heartfelt prayer to Jehovah at the inauguration of the temple. (1 Kings 8:22-53) Meditate on the model prayer that Jesus offered for our benefit.  (Matthew 6:9-13) Above all, regularly  "let your petitions be made known  to God,"  As a result, "the peach of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers."  Our gratitude for Jehovah's enduring love will increase. -Philippians 4:6, 7. 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love - SHOW GRATITUDE FOR THE RANSOM

From the Watchtower magazine 

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

VALUED GOD'S INSPIRED WORD

God has shown great love in giving us his inspired Word. It reveals what we need to know about him and his dealings with  mankind. For instance, the Scriptures tell us how he dealt with the Israelites, who frequently disobeyed him. Psalm 78:38 states: "He was merciful; he would forgive their error and not bring them to ruin. He often held back his anger instead  of stirring up all his wrath."  Reflecting on that verse may help you to appreciate  in a  very personal way that Jehovah loves and cares for you.  Be assured that you do matter to Jehovah. -Read 1 Peter 5:6, 7. 

We should value the Bible highly because God communicates with us primarily by means of it. Meaningful and compassionate communication between parents and  their children is essential to building a mutual trust  and developing a feeling of being loved.   What can we expect of Jehovah?  Although we have never seen him or heard his voice, he "speaks" to us through his inspired Word, and we need to listen. (Isaiah 30:21, 21) Jehovah desires to guide us, his dedicated people and to protect us from harm. He also wants us to know him and to put our trust in him. -Read Psalm 19:7-11; Proverbs 1:33. 

Jehovah wants us to know him as someone who loves us and looks beyond our imperfection.   He searches for the good in us.  (2 Chronicles 16:9)  For instance, he did so in the case of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. On one occasion, Jehoshaphat unwisely agreed to accompany King Ahab of Israel in a military venture to recover Ramoth - Gilead from the Syrians. Although 400 false prophets assured wicked Ahab of success, Jehovah's true prophet Micaiah foretold certain defeat. Ahab died in battle, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life. Upon returning to Jerusalem, he was reproved for allying himself with Ahab. Even so, Jehu, the son of Hanani the visionary, told Jehoshaphat:  "There are good things that have been found in you." -2 Chronicles 18:4, 5, 18-22, 33, 34; 19:1-3. 

Early in his reign, Jehoshaphat had directed that princes, Levites, and priests travel through all the cities of Judah to teach his subjects Jehovah's Law.  The campaign was so effective that people of the surrounding nations began to fear Jehovah. (2 Chronicles 17:3-10) Yes, Jehoshaphat committed a foolish  act, but Jehovah was not blind to the good things he had done.  This Bible account provides a reminder that despite our human imperfection, Jehovah will have enduring love for us if we wholeheartedly seek to please him. 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love -APPRECIATE THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER

From the Watchtower magazine  

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

MEDITATE ON JEHOVAH'S CREATIVE WORKS

Can we see Jehovah's enduring love for us in what he has created?  Yes, we can because the very act of creation was a manifestation of God's love.  (Romans 1:20) He designed the earth with an economic system in which we can safely exist and thrive.  However, he wants us to do more than merely exist.  We need to eat to keep on living. Jehovah made sure that the earth could produce a seemingly endless variety of plants that can be prepared as wholesome food. Why, he even made eating a delightful and satisfying experience!  (Ecclesiastes  9:7) A sister named Catherine finds great pleasure in observing creation, especially during the invigorating spring season in Canada.  She remarks:  "Its truly amazing how everything comes to life-flowers that are programmed to pop out of the ground and birds that return from their migration, including the tiny hummingbird that finds its way to the bird feeder outside my kitchen window. Jehovah must love us to give us much delight." Our loving heavenly Father takes pleasure in his creative works, and  he wants us to enjoy them as well. -Acts 14:16, 17. 

Jehovah created us with the ability to perform productive and meaningful work that adds to our enjoyment of life.  (Ecclesiastes 2:24)  He purposed that humans fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish, the bird, and other living  creatures.  (Genesis 1:26-28) And how loving of Jehovah to endow us with qualities that enable us to imitate him! - Ephesians 5:1. 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love - VALUE GOD'S INSPIRED WORD

From the Watchtower magazine 

Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

"I will meditate on all your activity." -PSALM 77:12

WHY are you convince that Jehovah loves his people? Before you answer that question, consider these examples:  For several years, fellow believers kindly urged a sister named Taylene  to balanced and not to expect too much of herself.  She comments:  "If Jehovah didn't love me, his counsel would not have been so persistent."  Brigitte, who raised two children alone after her husband died, states:  "Raising children in Satan's system is one of the most difficult challenges, especially for a single parent.  But I am convinced of Jehovah's love because he has guided me through tears and heartache, and he never let me experience more than I could endure."  (1 Corinthians 10:13) Sandra struggles with an incurable illness. At a convention, she was shown personal interest by the wife of a well-known brother.  "Although we did not her personally," says Sandra's husband,  "her deep concern brought great joy to our hearts.  Even small expressions of love from our brothers and sisters  show me how much Jehovah loves us." 

Humans were created with a need to love and be loved.  It is easy to become discouraged if this need is not satisfied because of unexpected events or disappointments, loss of health, financial setbacks, or a lack of success in the ministry.  If we begin to feel that Jehovah  no longer loves us, we do well to remember that we are precious to him and that he is there, "grasping [our]right hand" and helping us.  He will forget us if we are faithful to him.  -Isaiah 41:13; 49:15. 

The individuals quoted earlier were certain that God was with them in trying times.  We too can have the conviction that he is on our side.  (Psalm 118:6, 7 This article focuses on how God's love is evident in connection with  (1) his creative works,  (2) his inspired Word, (3) prayer, and (4) the ransom.  Meditating on the good things Jehovah has done will very likely increase our gratitude for his enduring love. -Read Psalm 77:11, 12. 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring  Love - MEDITATE ON JEHOVAH'S CREATIVE WORKS

From the Watchtower magazine 

"Let the Many Islands Rejoice/ AS TOLD BY GEOFFREY JACKSON

Conclusion of  SOME HISTORIC DECISIONS

Sadly, Jenny, my faithful companion for over 35 years, did not live to witness that memorable event. She succumbed to her ten-year battle with breast cancer in 2009. When she is resurrected, she will no doubt  be overjoyed to hear the news about the release of the Tuvaluan Bible. 

Since that time, Jehovah has blessed me with another beautiful companion, Loraini Sikivou,  Loraini and Jenny worked together at Bethel in Fiji, and Loraini too served as a translator, with the Fijian language.  So now I again have a faithful wife, and together we share in service to Jehovah and also in a love of language! 

As I look back over the years, I am so encouraged to see how our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah, continues to care for the needs of language groups, both small and large.  (Psalm 49:1-3)  I have seen is love reflected in the joy  on the faces of people when they first see some of our literature in their language or sing praises to Jehovah in the language of their hearts.  (Acts 2:8, 11) I can hear the words of Saulo Teasi, an elderly Tuvaluan brother. After he had sung a Kingdom song for the first time in his language, he said:  "I think you should tell the Governing Body that these songs sound better in Tuvaluan than they do in English." 

Since September  2005, I have had the unexpected privilege  of serving as a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. While I can no longer serve as translator, I thank Jehovah that he allows me to remain involved in supporting the worldwide translation work. What a joy it is to know that Jehovah cares for the spiritual needs of all his people-even those on isolated islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!  Yes, as the psalmist says, "Jehovah has become  King! Le the earth be joyful. Let the many islands rejoice." -Psalm 97:1. 

Next time: Meditate on Jehovah's Enduring Love

From the Watchtower magazine 

"Let the Many Islands Rejoice"/AS TOLD BY GEOFFREY JACKSON

SOME HISTORIC DECISIONS

Now let me return to that presentation mentioned at the outset.  By the year 2000, the Governing Body saw the need to strengthen translation teams worldwide. Up to that point, most translators had very little training. After we made that presentation to the Writing Committee, the Governing Body approved a worldwide training program for all the translators.  The program included training in English comprehension, translation techniques, and the cooperative team approach.

What has resulted from all this emphasis on translation?  For one thing, the quality of the translation has improved.  There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of languages in which we now publish literature.  When we arrived in our first missionary assignment 1979, the Watchtower magazine  was available in only 82 languages, most of which appear simultaneously  with the English. Spiritual food now available in one form  or another in over 700 languages.  This is something that we could only dream about years ago. 

In 2004 the Governing Body made yet another landmark decision-namely, to speed up Bible translation.  A few months after this, Bible translation work, thus opening up the opportunity for the New World Translation to be made available   in many more languages. As of 2014, this Bible has been printed in whole or part in 128 languages-including a number of languages spoken in the South Pacific. 

One of the highlights in my life was the privilege of being assigned to attend the convention in Tuvalu in 2011.   For months, the whole country had been in  the grip of an extreme drought, and it looked  as if the convention would be canceled. However, the evening we arrived, the drought was broken by a tropical downpour, and the convention was held after all! I had the inestimable privilege of releasing the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in Tuvaluan-the smallest language group ever to receive this beautiful gift. At the end of the convention, there was yet another downpour.  So everyone finished the program with an abundance of spiritual and literal water!

Next time: "Let the Many Islands Rejoice"/AS TOLD BY GEOFFREY JACKSON - Conclusion  of  SOME HISTORIC DECISIONS

From the Watchtower magazine 

"Let the Many Islands Rejoice" -AS TOLD BY GEOFFREY JACKSON

FURTHER ASSIGNMENTS

As the years went by, Jenny and I received various assignments throughout the Pacific.  From Tuvalu we were assigned to the Samoa branch in 1985.  There we assisted with translation into the Samoan,Tongan, and Tokelauan languages in addition to the work we were still doing in Tuvaluan.  Then in 1996 we were given a similar assignment in the Fiji branch, where we were  able to give support to the translation work being doing in the Fijian, Kirabati, Nauruan, Rotuman, and Tuvaluan languages. 

I never ceased to be amazed at the zeal shown by those who translate our literature.   The work can be tedious and exhausting.  However, these faithful ones try to reflect Jehovah's desire to get the good news preached "to every nation and tribe and tongue [or, "language,"] and people." (Revelation 14:6) For example, when the translation of the first Watchtower magazine in Tongan was being organized, I met with the elders as a  translator.   One of the elders , who had a good job as a mechanic, offered to resign the next day and start immediately as a translator. This was particularly heartwarming, since he was a family  man and had no idea where his income would come from.   But  Jehovah cared for him and his family, and he remained in the translation work for many years. 

Such devoted translators reflect the viewpoint of the members of the Governing Body, who care deeply about the spiritual needs of smaller language groups.   For example, at one point a  question was raised as to whether it was worth all the effort to provide literature in Tuvaluan.  I was so encouraged to read this answer from the Governing Body:  "We see absolutely  no reason why you may  should discontinue translation work in the Tuvaluan  language. Even though the Tuvaluan field may be small in comparison to other language groups, the people still need to be reached with the good news in their own language."

In 2003, Jenny and I was transferred from the Translation Department  in Fiji branch to Translation Services in Patterson, New York.  It seemed like a dream come true!  We became a part of a team that helps to develop the translation of our literature into additional languages. For the next two years or so, we had the privilege  of visiting various countries to help train translation teams.

Next time: "Let the Many Islands Rejoice" -AS TOLD BY GEOFFREY JACKSON - SOME HISTORIC DECISIONS

From the Watchtower magazine