m.wol.jw.orgWatchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY English BIBLE PUBLICATIONS MEETINGS English Publications (1950-2020) Log Out Log In Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY Welcome. This is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by Jehovah's Witnesses. For publication downloads, please visit jw.org . Sunday, February 9 I will behave the same way toward you.​— Hos. 3:3 . If a Christian’s mate committed immorality, the innocent Christian would face a decision. Jesus said that the innocent one would have a basis for getting a divorce and then be free to remarry. ( Matt. 19:9 ) On the other hand, the innocent mate could extend forgiveness. That would not be wrong. Hosea took back Gomer. Once Gomer was back with Hosea, she was not to have relations with any other man. Hosea did “not have relations” with Gomer for a while. ( Hos. 3:1-3 , ftn.) In time, though, Hosea must have resumed marital relations with her, thereby reflecting God’s willingness to accept his people back and resume his dealings with them. ( Hos. 1:11; 3:4, 5 ) What bearing does that have on a marriage today? If an innocent mate decided to maintain the marriage, resuming marital relations would show forgiveness. ( 1 Cor. 7:3, 5 ) That course would cancel what had been grounds for divorce. Thereafter as a couple, they should work to reflect God’s view of marriage. w18.12 13 ¶13 Monday, February 10 The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself.​— Prov. 22:3 . When studying, we do well to consider what bearing Jehovah’s thoughts may have on situations we might face in the future. That way, should we be in a situation requiring an immediate decision, we will not be caught completely off guard. By immediately rejecting the attempted seductions of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph showed that he had given thought to Jehovah’s view of marital faithfulness. ( Gen. 39:8, 9 ) Furthermore, his reply to Potiphar’s wife: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” indicates that he had made God’s view his own. What about us? Suppose a coworker began manifesting flirtatious behavior. Or what if a sexually explicit message or image was sent to your mobile phone? It is far easier to take a stand if we have already sought out and adopted Jehovah’s view on such matters and have determined in advance what we will do. w18.11 25 ¶13-14 Tuesday, February 11 I will exult in Jehovah.​— Hab. 3:18 . Some scholars think that this verse literally means “I will jump for joy in the Lord; I will spin round for delight in God.” What a powerful assurance for all of us! Not only has Jehovah given us wonderful promises but he has assured us that he is swiftly working out his great purpose. No doubt, the vital message of Habakkuk is to trust in Jehovah. ( Hab. 2:4 ) We can acquire and maintain such trust if we strengthen our relationship with Jehovah by (1) persevering in prayer, telling Jehovah all about our anxieties and concerns; (2) paying careful attention to Jehovah’s Word and any direction we receive through his organization; and (3) faithfully and patiently waiting on Jehovah. That is what Habakkuk did. Though he began his book with grief, he ended with a confident and joyful exclamation. May we follow this inspiring example so that we too can feel Jehovah’s fatherly embrace! What greater comfort could we find in this darkening world? w18.11 17 ¶18-19 Welcome. This is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by Jehovah's Witnesses. For publication downloads, please visit jw.org . English Preferences Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania Terms of Use Privacy Policy JW.ORG Log In...