A Secure Future - Everyone's Desire - WHAT MANY BELIEVE -Conclusion

  ANCESTOR WORSHIP: Still others believe that they must appease the dead ancestors or various dieties to gain their possession and blessing.  Van, who lives in Vietnam, says, "I believed that by paying omage to m y ancestors, I would enjoy a better life now and a secure future for me and my children.

REINCARNATION:   Many view existence as an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. They believe that the good or bad they experience now is the result of events in a previous life. 

Many though, consider such beliefs as superstition.  Yet, they still dabble in palmistry, horoscopes, Ouija boards, tarot cards, and the like.  They feel that perhaps there is a chance that such practiices can help them  their future.

A Secure Future - Everyone's Desire - WHAT ARE THER RESULTS?

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A Secure Future - Everyone's Desire - What Realoly Determines Your Future?

 Many people believe that unseen force controls their future. Based on this belief,  They follow practices that the feel will improve their personal prospects.  

WHAT MANY BELIEVE

ASTROLOGY: Some people believe that their future is fixed based on  the way the stars awere lined up at the moment of their birth.  They consult astrological forecasts, or horoscopes, to find out what will befall them and then act to avoid harm or find success. 

FENGSHUI: Others believe that the key to success is to bring their surroundings into hamony with  unseen forces in nature.  Lo Wing, who lives in Hong Kong says, 'a feng shui master told me that putting in special crystal in a designated place in my store would  help  me earn more money." 

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A Secure Future - Everyone's Desire

 What kind of future do you desire?  Like most people,  you no doubt want a secure future for yourself and your family-one of happiness, good health, peace, and prosperity.

Many people, however, doubt that they will have the future they desire.  They have seen sudden and unexpected events -such as COVID -19 pandemic-upend society, devastate the economy, and threaten ther life.  As a result, they feel that their future is far from secure.

In view of the uncertainty, people are eagerly searching for something that will guide them to a better future.  Some trust in such unseen forces as fate or fortuen.  Many pursue education and wealth, thinking that these things will guarantee that they get what they want.  Others feel that being a good person is all they need to do  to have a good life. 

Will any of these optionss lead you to the future you desire?  To find out, you need to consider these questions:

. What really determines your future?

.  Can education and money guarantee a better life?

. Where can you find a reliable guide to a secure future? 

This issue of The Watchtower can help you find the answers.

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN / A Growing Darkness -Conclusion

 Have you ever watched someone  you love, perhaps a famiy member, change drastically for the worse?  It can be a profoundly painful experience.  Jonathan's example reminds me of what the psalmist wrote:  'Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in." (Psalm 27:10) Jehovah is loyal.  He will take you in too and be the best Father imaginable, no matter what imperfect humans may do to disappoint you or let you down. 

Jonathan likely learned that Jehovah intended to take the kingship awat from Saul.  How did Jonathan react?  Did he ever wonder what kind of ruler he might prove  to be?  Did he cherish hopes of righting some of his father's wrongs, setting a better example  as a loyal  and obedient king? We do not know his inner thoughts, we only know that any such hopes swere never to be realized.  Does this mean that Jehovah abandoned that faithful man?  On the contrary, he used Jonathan to set one of the greatest examples of loyal friendship contained in the entire Bible record!  That friendship will be the focus on Jonathan. 

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - A Growing Darkness

 Despite Saul's faults, Jonathan kept fighting loyally at his father's side through the years.  We can only imagine  his dismay as he saw his father develop a disobedience and proud spirit. A  darkness was growing in his father, and Jonathan was powerless to stop it.

The problem came to a head when Jonathan assigned Saul to wage war against the Amalekites, a people so immersed in wickedness that back in Moses' day, Jehovah had foretold the destruction of the entire nation.  (Exodus 117:14) Saul was told to destroy  all their livestock and to execute their king, Agag.  Saul won the battle, no doubth with Jonathan fighting bravely under his father's command as usual.  But Saul flagrantly disobeyed Jehovah,  sparing Agag and keeping the wealth, the livestock intact. The prophet Samuel pronounced Jehovah's final judgment on Saul:  "Because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has rejected you from being king." - 1 SAMUE: 15:2, 3, 9, 10, 23.

It was not long thereafter tha tJehovah withdrew his holy spirit from Saul.  Without Jehovah's loving influence, Saul wa subject to mood swings, fits of temper, and overwhelming fears.  It was as if a bad spirit from God had replaced the good one. (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:10-12) 

How it must have distressed Jonathan to see his once noble father so terribly changed!  Nonetheless, Jonathan never sweved from his loyal service to Jehovah.  He supported his father as best he could , even speaking to him quit frankly at times, but he kept his focus on his unchanging God and Father, Jehovah. - 1 SAMUEL 19:4, 5. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Conclusion of A Growing Darkness

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - "It Was With God That He Acted"

 When Saul learned that Jonathan had violated the ban, he still refused to see the folly of his command.  Instead, he actually believed that his own son should be put to death!  Jonathan did not argue or beg for mercy.  Note his remarkable reply.  He said selflessly: "Here I am! I am read to die!"  However, the Israelites spoke up: "Should Jonathan die-the one who brought this great victory to Israel?  It is unthinkable!  As surely as Jehovah is alive, not even a single hair of his head should fall to the ground, for it was with God that he acted this day."  The result?  Saul gave in to reason.  The account says:  "With that the people resuced Jonathan, and he did  not die." - 1 SAMUEL 14:43-45.  

Through his courage, hard work, and selfless spirit, Jonathan had built a good reputation. When he was in danger, his reputation came to his aid.  We do well to contemplate the name or reputation, that we are making for ourselves day by day.  The Bible tells us that a good name is very precious.  (Ecclesiaste 7:1) If, like Jonathan, we take care to make a good name with Jehovah, our reputation will be a great treasure.  

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH - "it Was With God That He Acted"

For Saul, that victory did not turn out as well as it did for Jonathan.  Saul had made some grave mistakes.  He disobeyed Jehovah's appointed prophet Samuel by offering a sacrifice that the prophet who also a Levite, was suppose to offer.  When Samuel arrived, he told Saul that because of such disobedience, his kingdom would not last.  Then, when Saul sent his meninto battle, he first put them under  an ill-advised oath:?  "Cursed is the man who eats any food before the evening and until I have taken vengeance upon my enemies!" - 1 Samuel 13:10-14; 14:24.

Saul's words hint at a sad change in the man.  Was the humble, spiritual man becoming an ambitious egotist?  After all, Jehovah never directed that such an unreasonable restriction be put on those brave, hardworking soldiers.  What what about Saul's words "until I have taken vengeance  on my enemies" - do they suggest that Saul thought tha this was all about him? Was he forgetting that it was Jehovah's justice that mattered and not Saul's hunger for vengeance, glory, or conquest? 

 Jonathan knew nothing about his father's ill-conceived oath.  Exhausted from the heated battle, he dipped his stafff into a honeycomb and tasted some honey; he immediately felt his strength revive.  Then one his men told him about his father's prohibition against eating.  Jonathan responded:  "My father had brought  a great trouble  on the land.  Look how my eyes brightened because I tasted this little bit of honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today from the spoil of their enemies that they found!  For then the slaughter of the Philistins would have been even greater." (1 Samuel 14:25-30) He was right.  Jonathan was a loyal son, but his loyalty was not blind.  He did not mindlessly agree with everything his father did or said, and that balanced view earned the respect of others. 

Next time:  IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - "It Was With God That He Acted" 

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONAHTAN - Loyal Son, and Brave Soldier - Conclusion

 So the two men, warrior and armor-bearer, charged up the steep slope toward the outpost.  The Philistines, finally realizing that they were under attack, sent men out to fight off the two invaders.  The Philistines had not only the superior numbers but also the advantage of holding the higher ground, so they would have been able to make short work of two attackers.  But Jonathan struck down one soldier after another. Behind him the armor-bearer put them to death.  In just a small patch of ground, the two men dispatched 20 enemy soldiers!  And Jonahthan did something further.  We read: "Then terror spread in the field camp and among all the people of the outpost, and even the raiding parties were terrified.  The earth began quaking, and a terror from God ensued.: - 1 SAMUEL 14:15. 

From a distance, Saul and his  men watched as  chaos and panic spread among the Philistines, who even began to turn against one another!  (1 Samuel 14:16, 20) The Israelites took courage and attacked, perhaps taking weapons from the fallen Philistines.  Jehovah gave his people a great victory that day.  And he has not changed since those exciting times. If we today put faith in him, as did Jonathan and his armor-bearer, we will never have reason to regret our choice. - MALACHI 3:6; ROMANS 10:11. 

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Loyal Son, and Brave Soldier - Continue

 Jonathan evidently knew his God well.  He no doubt knew that in the past, Jehovah had helped his people defeat enemies who vastly outnumbered them. Sometimes He had even used a single individual to bring victory. (Judges 3:31; 4:1-23; 16:23-30) So Jonathan knew that it was neither the numbers nor the strength nor the weaponry of God's servants that mattered; it was their faith.  In faith, then, the Jonathan let Jehovah determine whether he and his armor-bearer should attack the outpost; he chose a sign by which Jehovah could signal approval. With that approval secured, Jonathan fearlessly forged ahead. 

Note two facets of Jonathan's faith.  First, he had profound awe for his GOd, Jehovah.  He knew that God Almighty does not depend on human strength in order to accomplish his purposes, yet Jehovah delights in blessing faithful humans who serve him.  (2 Chronicles 16:9)  Second, Jonathan sought evidence of Jehovah's approval before he took action.  Today, we do not seek supernatural signs from our God in order to verify  that he approves of our course of action.  With the entire inspired Word of God at hand, we  have all we need in order to discern God's will.  (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) do we consult the Bible carefully before making important decisions? If so, we show that we care about God's will more than our own-much like Jonathan. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Conclusion of Loyal Son, and Brave Soldier

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IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Loyal Son, and Brave Soldier - Continue

 For men like Jonathan, then, fighting was a matter of loyal service to Jehovah God. And Jehovah blessed Jonathan's efforts.  Son after Saul became king, he appointed his son to command 1,000 soldiers, and Jonathan led them to attack a Philistine  garrison and Geba.  Poorly armed though hismen were, with Jonathan's help Jonathan won the day.  In response, however, the Philistines armassed a huge force.  Many of Saul's soldiers were terrified.  Some ran off and hid, and a few even switched sides!  But Jonathan's courage never faded. - 1 SAMUEL 13:2-7; 14:21.

On the day described at the outset, Jonathan decided to slip away with only  hs armor-bearer at his side.  As they approached the Philistin outpost at Michmash, Jonathan revealed his play to his armor-bearer.  They would show themselves plainly to the Philistine soldiers up there. If the Philistines challenged the two of them would come on up against them, this would ge a sign that Jehovah would help hsi servants.  The armor-bearer readily agreed, perhaps  moved by Jonathan's powerful words: "Nothing can hinder Jehovah from saving many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6-10)  What did he mean?

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Loyal Son, and Brave Soldier 

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