SA45 - How Jehovah Helps Us to Carry Out Our Ministry

Being truly self-sacrificing when it comes to carrying out our witnessing work involves being prepared to put the needs of others ahead of our own and being willing to devote our time and energy to helping others even if it may be inconvenient or challenging for us.

It also involves being selfless and not expecting anything in return for our efforts. But what about when we are preaching in a territory where people are “defiant,” “hardhearted,” “rebellious,” and as harmful as thorns and as dangerous as scorpions?

Jehovah told Ezekiel, “I am sending you” and “do not be afraid.” (Ezekiel 2:3-6) Like Ezekiel, we too will be able to carry out our preaching commission because we are:

1. sent by Jehovah
2. empowered by God’s spirit, and
3. nourished by God’s words

Jehovah told Ezekiel: “I am sending you.” (Ezekiel 2:3, 4) Those words must have strengthened Ezekiel as he no doubt recalled that Jehovah used similar words when he commissioned Moses and Isaiah as His prophets. (Exodus 3:10; Isaiah 6:8) Today, we draw comfort and strength from knowing that Jehovah is pleased when we faithfully continue to declare his message. We demonstrate this confidence by being open to doing whatever is needed and instead of trying to find roles in the ministry that fit our interests or skills, we take on whatever is needed. This might mean doing avenues of preaching that fall outside of our comfort zone or that we don't particularly enjoy.

Ezekiel saw how powerful God’s spirit is. In a vision, he witnessed holy spirit at work on the mighty spirit creatures and on the gigantic wheels of a celestial chariot. (Ezekiel 1:20, 21) Today, as in Ezekiel’s case, we can carry out the preaching work only with the help of God’s holy spirit because Satan wages war against us to stop our preaching activities. (Revelations 12:17) We work in harmony with our prayers by being willing to devote as much time as needed to carry out our preaching commission, even if it means rearranging our schedule or making sacrifices in other areas of our lives.

Jehovah told his prophet to eat the scroll and “fill [his] stomach with it.” Obediently, Ezekiel ate the scroll completely. Ezekiel fully absorbed the message he was to deliver, and it had to become part of him, as it were, affecting his innermost feelings to the point where it “was as sweet as honey.” (Ezekiel 3:3) We pray to prepare our heart to receive God’s thoughts. Then, we read a Bible passage. Next, we pause to meditate, to think deeply, about what we have read remembering that we are preparing for the ministry to help others, not to feel good about ourselves or to receive recognition. We are humble and gracious in our service.

May we pray for God’s spirit persistently, and be confident that He will hear our prayers, remembering the wisdom that Jesus taught his disciples to “keep,” “keep,” “keep,” on “asking,” on “seeking” and “knocking” and Jehovah will “give holy spirit to those asking him!” (Luke 11:9, 13)

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.