Holding Fast to Our Hope

SA19 - How Can We Strengthen Our Faith
in Jehovah’s Promise of a New World?

One night, in the desolate reaches of a frozen northern land, where the wind whistled with a merciless fury and a vast, thick blanket of snow stretched as far as the eye could see, a young woman named Nicole found herself caught in a chilling predicament. On this particular evening, she had ventured outside her warm and cozy home to quickly deposit the garbage in its sealed container. However, in an instant, a ferocious gust of wind swept through, violently slamming the door shut behind her, leaving her trapped outside in the freezing cold.

Panic seized Nicole's heart as the realization of her dire situation washed over her. The darkness enveloped her, making it nearly impossible to locate her spare key, buried deep beneath the snow-covered path. Stranded in the unforgiving clutches of winter, with the biting frost gnawing at her very core, she braced herself for the battle against the merciless temperatures that threatened her very existence. Every ounce of strength and resilience within her was summoned as she fought against nature's cruel grip.

Nicole had always despised the bitter cold that blanketed her surroundings, yearning for the warmth of summer that felt like an unattainable dream. This winter had proven to be especially brutal, with temperatures plummeting to unfathomable depths and blizzards wreaking havoc, obscuring the sun for days on end. Her sensitivity to the cold offered no respite from the icy landscape that stretched before her. Despite her valiant efforts, from bundling herself in layers of woolen clothing to seeking warmth near the faint escape of heat beneath the front door, winter's grip remained unrelenting.

As the night wore on, Nicole's hope for the arrival of summer began to dwindle. The vision of a world adorned with warmth and greenery seemed to fade away, replaced by a whisper of doubt that echoed in the depths of her mind. The lingering thought that summer might never arrive cast a shadow over her spirit. Yet, in the face of despair, she clung to a fragile thread of optimism, believing that the seasons would inevitably change.

With the first light of dawn, Nicole's eyes were greeted by a blinding sight that caused her heart to soar with joy. Sunlight pierced through the snow-laden landscape, reflecting off the side of a nearby shed and directly into her eyes. It was as if a piece of the heavens had touched the frozen earth, illuminating her path. Determined, she swiftly began to excavate the snow, driven by the quest for her spare key.

Finally safe inside her home, Nicole gasped in awe at the transformation that had seemingly occurred overnight. The once-icy stalactites that clung to the side of her house now exhibited signs of surrender, melting slowly under the gentle caress of the sun's warming rays.

Inspired by the hope of the approaching season, Nicole eagerly embraced the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities. Renewed anticipation coursed through her veins as she ventured into the winter landscape, determined to seize every fleeting moment before summer's arrival. Bundled in her warmest attire, she relished the crisp air that now carried the promise of change. Nicole embarked on long walks through snow-covered fields, marveling at the glistening crystals beneath her boots. Each step filled her with childlike delight, as if building snowmen symbolized the thawing of winter, heralding the imminent arrival of a new season. With every outdoor adventure, Nicole's spirit soared, immersing herself in the serenity and beauty of nature. As she treasured these experiences, she knew that her days of yearning for summer were drawing closer to an end.

A radiant smile graced Nicole's face as she stood there, basking in the newfound warmth. The world around her appeared to awaken from its wintry slumber, transforming gradually. Though the following weeks would prove even colder than before, Nicole clung steadfastly to the signs she had witnessed. In her heart, she held firm to the belief that summer was within reach, refusing to let the biting frost extinguish her flickering hope.

Nicole's journey reflected the trials and discouragements that are frequently encountered in life; as if from nowhere, a gust of wind could slam a door shut. There were moments amidst her struggles when she questioned the arrival of summer, much like how we may question the fulfillment of God's promises during our own trials. However, this questioning did not signify a weakness in her faith. On the contrary, Nicole's hope blazed brightly, anchored in the evidence of the signs she had witnessed. She understood that even when the desired outcome wasn't immediately apparent, the presence of clear indications hinted at the reality of her dreams.

With this newfound confidence, we too can prioritize our trust in Jehovah, making our faith a focal point in our lives. Similar to Nicole's engagement in outdoor activities, we can engage in spiritual activities, seeking solace and strength through our faith. Through perseverance, she became one who inherited the promises by maintaining unwavering belief and patient endurance.

Much like the approaching summer that had yet to arrive for Nicole, the new world is still to come. However, just as she had signs indicating the approaching summer—such as the warmth of the sun and the lengthening of the days—we too have evidence in the stars, the trees, the animals, and our fellow humans. Nicole's story serves as a testament to the power of hope and faith. In the midst of the harshest winters, she discovered that even the coldest days eventually give way to the warmth of summer. With a heart filled with trust, she found the strength to endure, knowing that God's promises would be fulfilled in due time.

Throughout history, many have proven their faith before us, such as Abraham and Sarah, who had a son in their old age; David, whose descendant would sit on Jehovah's throne forever; Elizabeth and Mary, who experienced miraculous births. Our divine Creator has established a grand design for a magnificent new world. Rest assured, He will fulfill His purpose without fail. This extraordinary future holds the promise of everlasting life, where individuals will experience boundless vitality and reside in a state of perfect well-being. As the appointed moment determined by God draws nearer, this new world will manifest its reality with the same vividness and tangibility as the universe surrounding us in the present time (Isaiah 65:17).

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

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.

9 comments

Thanks I really enjoyed the story

Tara

I enjoyed and appreciated the analogy.

Barbara Simmons

Thank you, Mark, for sharing your story. It was really inspiring and helped me see things in a different way. Just like how the seasons change, this world we live in will also come to an end someday.

Anonymous

Thank you, as always, for your dedication and hard work. I wanted to let you know that I found this story very inspiring and I plan to share it with someone else. Just like me, they also dislike the cold and I think they will find it encouraging too.

Anonymous

This story reminded me of the illustration from the Watchtower, sometimes during a very cold winter, we might think that summer will never arrive. But guess what, summer always comes! Same when we feel really down and things seem tough, we might think that the new world promised by Jehovah will never come, but if we believe and trust in him, we can be sure that His promises will come true.

Todd

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