Research Note: 2 Chronicles 30:23 records that the festival was extended another seven days...an unprecedented act of joy and unity. The NWT Study Bible note on this verse and Insight under “Festival” explain the significance of this extension. Hezekiah’s generosity (v. 24) is also worth noting...see Insight under “Hezekiah” for details.

“When unity is real, you don’t count the days...you add more.”

The Passover was so joyful that they extended it another seven days. Laughter filled the courtyards. Old enemies shared bread. Children from the north played chase with children from the south, their shouts mingling in the warm air.

Eliab overheard a man from Judah say, “I never thought I’d see the day we’d feast with those from the north again.” His friend replied, “Jehovah gave us one heart. That’s the only reason.”

But there were moments of strain. A dispute broke out over seating near the altar. A Judahite elder and a man from Asher glared at each other until a Levite stepped in. “Brothers,” he said, “the altar doesn’t belong to Judah or Asher...it belongs to Jehovah.”

The tension melted into laughter, and the two men shared a plate of roasted lamb, tearing the meat with their hands and dipping it into a bowl of bitter herbs.

That night, the city glowed with lamplight. Music drifted from the temple courts...psalms sung in unison, the deep hum of men’s voices blending with the clear tones of women and children. Eliab sat with Tirzah and the children on the temple steps, watching the Levites tune their harps.

Asa leaned against his father. “Abba, will we come here every year?” Eliab hesitated. “If Jehovah wills it, yes.” He looked around at the faces — Judahite, Ephraimite, Zebulunite...and thought, if only we could keep this spirit when we go home.

The extra days passed in a blur of worship, meals, and conversations that crossed tribal lines. A Judahite potter traded a clay jug for a northern fisherman’s net. A woman from Zebulun taught a group of Jerusalem children a song from her village.

But under the joy, Eliab sensed a quiet question in many eyes: What happens when we leave?

As the festival drew to a close, Eliab knew the answer to that question would shape the rest of his life.

Research Note: Verse 12 says Jehovah gave them “one heart” (lev echad) to act in harmony with His word. For a deeper look, see the NWT Study Bible note on verse 12 and the Insight entry on “Heart” (section on figurative use). The temple atmosphere...music, incense, priestly garments...is described in Insight under “Temple” and “Priest.”

“When Jehovah gives you one heart, you stop asking who’s from where and start asking who’s here to worship.”

Jerusalem shimmered in the afternoon light. White limestone walls rose high, the temple mount crowned with gold. The streets pulsed with pilgrims: men in wool tunics dyed with madder red orindigo, women in linen robes with woven sashes, children darting between stalls selling olives, honey cakes, and roasted lamb skewers.

The smell of incense drifted from the temple courts. Levites in fine linen moved with purpose, harps and cymbals gleaming. Priests in white robes, sashes deep blue, prepared the altars.

No one asked where you were from. Judahite, Ephraimite, Zebulunite...it didn’t matter. They sang the same psalms, bowed to the same God, and ate from the same sacrifice.

But not everyone was pleased. A stern Judahite merchant muttered to his friend, “Look at them...northerners. They’ve ignored the temple for years, and now they come?” His friend shrugged. “Jehovah invited them. Who am I to turn them away?”

Eliab overheard and felt a pang...unity was here, but it was fragile.

As the lambs were slaughtered and the blood dashed against the altar, Eliab noticed something that would change the way he saw Jehovah’s people forever.

Research Note: Still in 2 Chronicles 30, verses 10 11 highlight that many mocked the invitation, but “some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came.” The Hebrew for “humbled themselves” (yekhniʿu) implies bending the will...a deliberate act of submission to Jehovah. For more, see the Insight entry on “Humility” and the NWT Study Bible note on verse 11. These help us appreciate the personal cost of leaving political loyalties behind.

“Unity doesn’t wait for the politics to settle...it walks anyway.”

The road wound through hills dotted with olive trees. They weren’t alone. A fisherman from Asher trudged ahead, nets slung over his back. A widow from Zebulun led a donkey piled high with flatbread wrapped in linen.

At first, conversation was cautious. Some still muttered about politics. “I don’t trust Hezekiah,” one man said. “Kings always have an angle.” A Levite traveling with them replied, “Maybe. But this isn’t about Hezekiah. It’s about Jehovah’s Passover.”

The words hung in the air like a challenge.

That night, they camped under the stars, sharing dried dates and roasted chickpeas. Children from different tribes played together, their laughter echoing in the dark.

But the next day, tension flared. A young man from Manasseh accused the fisherman of being “too friendly” with Judahites they’d met on the road. Voices rose. Eliab stepped between them. “We left our homes for the same reason,” he said. “If we can’t walk together now, how will we stand together in Jerusalem?”

The group fell silent. The Levite nodded slowly. “The road is our first test.”

The next morning, as the sun lit the horizon, the walls of Jerusalem came into view...and with them, a choice that would silence every political argument they’d ever had.

(I have spent the last four or five months working on a deeply personal research topic. Now, somehow, it has metamorphized several times...until finally it has turned into a short story about a real biblical account.  Even after I wrote it, I wasn't satisfied with it. I broke it down, started over...and did more research...more digging. Finally I reassembled it only to then break it into five separate sections...each one building upon the previous...each one propelling the reader forward. I am finally ready to share it with everyone here...but I will do so section by section. Thank you in advance for reading it, and I pray that you draw as much encouragement from reading...as I have from preparing it.)

One Heart

A Journey Beyond Borders to Worship Jehovah

Part One--The Invitation Nobody Expected

Research Note: This account is drawn from 2 Chronicles 30:1 27, when King Hezekiah invited all Judah...and even the surviving tribes of the northern kingdom...to come to Jerusalem for the Passover. For deeper background, see the NWT Study Bible notes on 2 Chronicles 30 and Insight on the Scriptures under “Hezekiah” and “Passover.” The Bible Encyclopedia entry for “Chronicles, Books of” also gives historical context for Hezekiah’s reign and the political tensions of the time. These resources help us picture the courage it took to cross political borders and the unity Jehovah blessed with “one heart” (lev echad).

“Sometimes the most dangerous road you can take is the one that leads you back to Jehovah.”

The spring air in Manasseh carried the scent of barley and the faint tang of sheep pens. Eliab knelt in the courtyard, mending a cracked water jar, when the sound of hoofbeats broke the afternoon stillness.

Two men rode into the village, their tunics dusty, scrolls tucked under their arms. They dismounted and began reading aloud in the marketplace:

“Return to Jehovah… come to His sanctuary in Jerusalem… He will not turn His face away if you return to Him.”

The words hung in the air for a heartbeat...then the crowd erupted.

“Jerusalem?” a man barked. “That’s their city, not ours!” “They think we’ll bow to their king?” another scoffed. A woman muttered, “We have our own altars. We don’t need theirs.”

Eliab’s neighbor, Hador, spat on the ground. “You’d have to be a fool to go. You’ll be branded a traitor before you reach the border.”

But Eliab’s mind drifted to his grandfather’s voice, telling of Solomon’s temple...the gold, the singing, the smoke rising like a pillar to heaven. He remembered the way his grandfather’s eyes would shine when he spoke of the festivals, of the unity of all Israel before the split.

That night, Eliab sat by the fire with his wife Tirzah. Their children, Asa and little Noa, slept nearby. “They’ve invited us to Jerusalem,” he said quietly. Tirzah looked up sharply. “You’re not thinking...” “I am.” Her brow furrowed. “Eliab, you know what they’ll say. You know what they’ll do. And what if the Assyrians see us crossing south? They’ll think we’re plotting with Judah.” He stared into the flames. “Maybe they will. But this isn’t about Judah. It’s about Jehovah.”

The next morning, as they packed bread, figs, and water skins, Hador appeared at the gate. “You’re really going?” he asked, incredulous. Eliab tightened the strap on his pack. “Yes.” Hador shook his head. “Then may your God protect you...because your neighbors won’t.”

As they stepped onto the road south, Eliab didn’t know that the first challenge to their unity wouldn’t come from Judah...it would come from someone walking beside them.

No matter who starts a post or write something on a forum, they are usually the first ones to make their presence known. I don't have to name names, you guys know who you are...and please rest assured, the rest of us deeply appreciate you...not only because you keep the core of the spiritual fire lit here on JW talk...but also because you can be counted on to stir things up when they're moving too slow...or to calm things down when they're starting to go left or right. 

Meanwhile, there are other usernames who I see on a daily basis visiting the forums, sometimes they comment...other times they simply peruse the aisles so to speak, perhaps hoping for a spiritual gem or two to find for the midweek meeting...or an idea or two for a possible comment during the watchtower study each week. 

And then there are the guests... nameless faceless, (for now at least), people who may have stumbled across this spiritual Oasis somewhere online and now find themselves also walking down the aisles, taking in a subject here... picking up and admiring a spiritual gem there...slipping it in their back pocket for use at a later time. 

These people might like what they see...but because of the many warnings from the slave over the years regarding websites of this nature...they may be holding back...fearful of stepping into something that looks and feels real, but is ultimately a disappointment.

Some of these people may have joined a group or two over the years only to be disappointed by the lack of respect and love shown, not to mention the apostates that may creep in and begin to spread malicious lies about the organization. After being burned once or twice, it's more than understandable why some of the people that come to this site would choose to remain as a guest...after all, Jehovah welcomes guests...and so do we!☺️

And yes, although it's not nice to contemplate, a few of those nameless guests may be combing this site looking for anything they can use against the society and our brotherhood...and to those people I would simply say: Jehovah sees you...even if we do not. We don't worry about you...because while we still care about you and truly want you to turn around...it is not our place to judge...and who knows... Jehovah may move your heart right at the very end...and we may end up meeting in the New System. 

So no matter who you are...whether you are among the daily "posters" or daily commentators...whether you are just a casual shopper who enjoys perusing...or even a guest who enjoys window shopping, (for whatever reason)...the following scripture and thoughts behind it...is for each and every one of you, (myself included)!

May the verse and the thoughts behind it encourage and strengthen you...and I know it will...because it's not coming from me...it's coming from Jehovah.

Malachi 3:16 "At that time those who fear Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance was written before him for those fearing Jehovah and for those meditating on his name."

Two phrases in this verse caught my attention during my personal study of it...and prompted my post here today.

"Keep paying attention" comes from the Hebrew word va-yaqshiv (קשב)...a verb that pictures someone pricking up their ears to catch every word.

"Those meditating on his name" is leḥoshvei shemô (לחשבי שמו) — literally, those who thoughtfully esteem his name.

Why do these two Hebrew words matter in the context of my post?

Because it proves... beyond a shadow of a doubt...that Jehovah notices both the words we share and the quiet esteem in the heart. He memorializes both in his “book of remembrance” (sefer zikkaron), not in some sort of cold and unfeeling ledger, but as a loving record of what he never wants to forget.

So for those of you who are vocal everyday...those of you who offer little comments, little bits of encouragement...even just a simple thumbs up to something you appreciated...everything you add to this site is NOT just "background noise"...you are quite literally the ones who spoke with one another...each of you is a brightly burning log in the roaring campfire we call JW Talk...you guys provide steady sparks that warm tired and cold hearts.

Do you realize... Jehovah isn't just "listening" to you... he's leaning forward...eager to catch the tone of your voice, your timing, your intent...and it's like he's eagerly writing it all down.

Well, in a sense, we do too...even if we may not express it much...we don't take you guys for granted...the joy, the clarity...the courage you show to continue steadily posting here day by day...we are deeply grateful to each of you!

Now for the quiet readers...the seekers...the ones who may be too shy or simply unable to post or comment because they feel like they don't have the right words...they just cannot express themselves as eloquently as others here on this site...well we see you too...and so does Jehovah!

You are among those "meditating on his name"...and it shows your silence isn't "absence" or a lack of love...it's actually beauty in Jehovahs eyes!

When you pull up this site on whatever device you use...and walk amongst the various topics and forums...stopping here to grab a bite of encouragement...hurrying over there to pull down a particular comment or post that inspires you or encourages you...you never go unnoticed...even if we don't see you...Jehovah does...and he deeply values the way you think, weigh and then cherish what is true.

And we do too!

Your steady presence...returning, learning, praying...every bit of that...strengthens this community in ways that you...and I...will simply never know or understand.

Why?

Because Jehovah sees...and it's HIS blessing we are after. None of us here want to "glorify" ourselves...we just want to bring honor to Jehovah.

So please...the next time you appreciate a post, the next time you enjoy a comment, the next time a brother or sister makes you laugh or cry or feel something on here... please take a moment to do the following: Find a way to say thank you...even if it's not to the person who Jehovah used...at least whisper a prayer for them...because Jehovah IS listening...and as we can all see...he will clearly bless all who keep paying attention and those who are meditating on his name!

My heater was working overtime...at 27 degrees below zero...I could feel the harsh chill pressing against the doors and windows of my van...seeking even the tiniest of holes to gain entrance and attack me from all sides.

My feet stretched out beneath the dash...I listened to the haunting sounds of "Tennessee" by Hans Zimmer as I sipped a cup of steaming dark roasted coffee and gazed out at the utter beauty of Jehovah's creative work around me. My mind and heart began to overflow with simple appreciation for what I was able to see...and my brain began to rewind...back to the days when I used to sit inside a cell...back to the days when a single word sounded so foreign and unreal that to even speak it caused me to feel sunken and defeated...a simple word..."freedom".

But now...here I sat...years and years later...no locked doors...no one telling me what to do...or how to do it...and suddenly I felt a giant rush of utter gratitude and gratefulness that shook me to my core. 

Never had I experienced something like this...not even at the height of my excitement at getting out...not even while I was quite literally walking out of the prison a free man...never has anything moved me like it did this one single day. 

Why?

I don't get it...it just happened recently...and quite honestly...I haven't processed it all yet.

Maybe it was the music...suddenly "Rose's Theme" from the movie Titanic started to play...but for a brief moment...I wasn't there...I wasn't in my work van...I wasn't that pathetic little person who I truly am...suddenly I was tuned in...I was dialed into a side of me that I have been hiding from...for years.

I realized that I am free...but more than the silly little superficial freedom that I was thinking of.

I am free from my past...I am free from Jehovah's standpoint.

I've known this for years...the information wasn't new...but man, the feeling...that FEELING was.

I couldn't stop myself...and wouldn't have even if I could have...I wept.

To an outsider...man, I must have looked like I was crazy. I must have looked like a complete moron...sitting in that parking lot...overlooking a scenic view...blubbering away like an idiot...and I get it...that's okay.

But to Jehovah...to Jehovah...he saw me get it...and I know he was crying right along with me.

In that moment...I felt my Father's pat on the back...I felt his smile of approval...and then...out of the freakin' blue...my music stopped, interrupted by a phone call...a phone call from a brother.

He had texted me a few hours before asking me a question regarding some cheese...and I hadn't gotten back to him yet. He knew I was in his area...so he was just giving me a heads up as to where he would be in case I wanted to meet him.

Detecting, (meaning he heard me trying to quit sobbing like a pathetic moron), that something was wrong...he asked if I was okay...and after hearing my explanation...this dear brother took me to a verse...and I will now share that verse with you:

2 Corinthians 9:15: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable free gift."

He read it out loud...and then asked if I had ever done any research on the Greek word used to translate the English word "indescribable".

I was in no state to really think, so I just said no.

He said that the Greek word is "ἀνεκδιήγητος (anekdiēgētos)"...and that most Bible Scholars agree that Paul here...quite literally...made up a word on the spot...just so that he could describe...the indescribable.

This brother than said that...possibly...Paul had a similar experience as me...not for the same exact reasons...but that the feelings this dear brother had when writing about the ransom sacrifice left him with no known words to choose from to express himself...and thus...he simply termed the feeling as: indescribable!!

I felt that brother's words...felt them straight to the core of who I am...and thus I will end this blog post as I began: Have you ever been lost for words?

I often find myself daydreaming about it, I sometimes imagine that the Bible is my personal "tourist guide", so to speak. I try to picture in my mind's eye the landscape, the flora and fauna...I try to envision myself there...sitting in the warm sunshine holding my wife and enjoying the company of all of you...and the rest of Jehovah's clean society. 

I look at the qualities that I find in the Bible...love, humility, kindness, joy...I could go on and on. 

When I am in that place mentally...I can almost feel Jehovah's arms start to wrap around me...it's like he's thanking me for taking time to think about Him and his promises. I do not reveal this to many people, not because I'm ashamed of it...but because I feel it makes others ashamed if they cannot experience the same thing...and I do not want to see anyone feel sad because of something I expressed.

I will sometimes sit back early in the morning on weekends and listen to gentle music with my eyes closed...letting my thoughts drift with the pulse of the rhythms. I don't get to do this often, but every single time I do...it helps me mentally and emotionally. (Yes, sometimes I fall asleep, but that's okay too, I wake up feeling refreshed😂).

So, now that I have asked my question...I will share a personal thought that I had about the new system...and especially about one particular facet of it.

Every year, we watch spring turn into summer, we watch the trees, flowers and other plants blossom and bloom...we watch as things turn from green to brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow before slowly fading into brown and dropping from plants of all shapes and sizes.

We notice these things because they happen every year, and we live for maybe 100 years...for now.

But in the new system...we will live...forever...and so even though we will probably never stop noticing the change of seasons...other changes will start to enter our minds and our viewpoints will start to expand and widen.

For instance, please consider Isaiah 65:22: "They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full."

From this single verse, after meditating on it for some time...I came to the following conclusion that left me nearly speechless: Just as we watch the grass turn green and grow until we have to cut it in our yards...so too, at that time...we will watch entire forests arise around us...and we will eventually have to cut them down only to watch them grow for several more thousand years. 

So please, friends...if you would like to share a personal thought or more of your own...please do so...because I firmly believe in the power of personal expressions...they have the power to move us...and more importantly...such expressions can move even Jehovah, his Son and the millions upon millions of angels watching us with keen interest.

The video to that song was simultaneously awe inspiring and nail biting...our dear brothers and sisters being herded into an open field by military men with guns...no protection...helpless.

And then, the camera pans upwards...and suddenly we see the sky fill with the heavenly host of angels, 144,000...and Christ himself leading the way.

Writing these words...I have chills running up and down my spine. I cannot help but shiver with anticipation and... yes...even a certain sense of GET EM mentality. Those guns don't stand a chance...and then I add another thought into the mix that makes my hair stand on end...these men KNOW they are attacking Jehovah's people...they KNOW they are attacking Jehovah God himself!!

That level of pure arrogance and stupidity makes me shake my head in disbelief...and then my brain adds yet another image...all of those military men dying right there...on that spot...in that moment. Their manner of death is vague...but inconsequential. What matters is that they die...all of them...and right where they stand.

And that thought...my dear friends...is what caused me to sit down at my computer and start to write another post...because while I see all of them dying...on the very spot they stand...I cannot imagine any of those dear brothers and sisters getting hurt...not even the slightest scratch...nothing!

And that thought led me to share with all of you a point that a local C.O. in our area brought out recently...and I thought it was so incredible...so awe inspiring...I wanted to share it with you. 

Let us return, in our mind's eye...to the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel where Elijah is standing...having just watched an entire group of disgusting men make fools out of themselves in front of everyone. Finally, he tells all the people to approach...and then proceeds to repair Jehovah's alter in front of them all. 

Everyone watched as he went through was undoubtedly an hour or more of hard intense labor...rebuilding the alter, digging the trench by hand, cutting the young bull into pieces and placing it on the alter with food for the fire. Afterwards...he had everything doused in water, (no doubt seawater obtained from the Mediterranean Sea) ...over and over again until the wood was saturated and water spilled over the edges of the trench.

Then, this worn-out faithful man prayed out loud...his words ringing through the air: "About the time when the evening grain offering is presented, E·liʹjah the prophet stepped forward and said: “O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and that it is by your word that I have done all these things.37 Answer me, O Jehovah! Answer me so that this people may know that you, Jehovah, are the true God and that you are turning their hearts back to you.” (1 Kings 18:36,37)

Suddenly...stunningly...: " At that the fire of Jehovah fell from above and consumed the burnt offering, the pieces of wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water from the trench." (1 Kings 18:38)

Friends...the C.O. then pointed out something that made my jaw drop. 

No known earthly fire could have instantaneously consumed everything...thus the source of this fire was ATOMIC...and he provided a reference from an Awake article showing that rocks found on Mount Carmel have the same nuclear radioactive properties as those found on the sites of the atomic bomb testing sites!

What's the big deal? After all, we knew it had to be supernatural...it came from Jehovah, right?

True...but how many humans have died from radioactive fallout...developing cancer, heart disease and other health problems?  A lot...but when Jehovah harnessed that same energy...nowhere do we read of those watching this miracle dying from radiation poisoning. 

His point was this...Jehovah has the ability...the power...to selectively destroy while simultaneously preserving!

Give me courage...those words have been ringing in my heart since I  re watched that video.  Those dear brothers and sisters in that field have nothing to worry about...Jehovah could send atomic fire to destroy every single one of those soldiers...and it wouldn't harm a single hair on their heads.

And the same goes for each of us. Jehovah has the ability to protect us when the chips are down...and the desire to see us all safely into the new system...whether it's in person...or in his limitless memory. May we never forget Jehovah's ability to show his strength on our behalf...and may we always remember those three simple words...Jehovah...GIVE ME COURAGE!!

I will try to spare you dear friends more of my incessant ramblings and get straight to the point. Like the scriptural gem I have prepared, I will ATTEMPT to be short and to the point, (though I offer no promises...for my pontificating is valuable and...and okay...I'll shut up now):😅

1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray constantly.”

Yes, we've definitely all heard this scripture...but what does it mean??

Is it literal? Are we to spend 24 hours a day uttering prayers to Jehovah in a constant stream of litany that never ever ends??

Nah... if you wanted that...just click on one of my posts and prepare to eye roll your way to a state of pure and utter catatonic bliss!🤣

But, on a more serious note...what does this verse actually mean?

For a quick translation, and relatable to probably every single one of us...it's literally this simple: “Pray constantly” means to have a prayerful attitude.

What does that mean?

Try this on for size...what does it mean to have a careful attitude? Especially in relation to driving...hmmm...I can now hear the wheels spinning... (some faster than others...but they're all spinning!!) By the way...my wheels spin so slow even hamsters turn down the job because they were all getting fat from a lack of exercise.😂

But...again...what does it mean to have a careful attitude?

Simply put...when we are out driving on a freeway...how often do we check our mirrors? Do we have a “preset” number of times?

If you got into someone's car and they told you... “I will be checking my mirror TEN times during this trip...that's it. Don't expect 11 or 12...I only check them ten times!"

Are you really going to ride with them? Honestly, probably not...and rightfully so!

No, as a careful driver... (hopefully a careful driver) ...we constantly and consistently check our mirrors...not out of a preset notion of how often we should check them...but because we understand that if we don't...we could possibly kill ourselves and those traveling with us.

The same thing applies spiritually...we check our spiritual mirrors constantly and consistently throughout our day...readjusting our behavior as we see the need to do so.

Pray constantly...please, my dear friends...please continue to allow Jehovah to readjust us. None of us will ever regret it...and we are just so close so the end...just allow Jehovah to GET you there.

“You Have Your Company Of Young Men Just Like Dewdrops...” Sound familiar?

Here's a quote that...if given just a little bit of light...has the ability to sparkle like the sun:

Penetrate the heart of just one drop of water...and you will be flooded by a hundred oceans.

The scripture I quoted to begin with is well known to all of us, but hopefully I will be able to add just a spiritual gem or two that you may not have heard...and if you have...then hopefully you will find some small refreshment in the reminder of just why I appreciate each and every one of my dear brothers and sisters...both locally and here on Jwtalk.

Psalms 110:3: “Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In splendid holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops.”

First, all of us offer ourselves willingly for Jehovah's service...we entered his service that way and that's why the change in how we report our hours doesn't faze me...our service to OUR God is willing...we would do it no matter what...our love...our dedication...our very purpose...is to use every single bit of “us”...to prove Satan a liar...to prove Jehovah right.

We do this side by side...our individual integrity shining brightly...like a sea of people thrusting brilliant beacons up to the sky amid the darkness of Satan's wicked world. Our light...shows the way to the truth...Jehovah uses each and every one of us...every day...whether we realize it or not.

Any little sign of integrity on our parts is a slap in Satan's face...and yet...in the midst of this intense spiritual warfare...exists something so beautiful...so spectacular...that Jehovah inspired David to quite literally sing about it.

Here is an excerpt from a Watchtower about this scripture, I found it amazing to really meditate on: The dewdrop simile is fitting, for dew is linked to abundance and blessing. (Genesis 27:28) Dewdrops are gentle and refreshing. In this time of Christ’s presence, young Christians willingly and eagerly offer themselves in great numbers. Just like refreshing dewdrops, many young men and women cheerfully serve God and assist their fellow worshipers.—Psalm 71:17.

Do all of you feel that way...about yourselves? Oh, how easy it is to see others in that light...to acknowledge that others are refreshing...others are kind and loving and considerate...others always know just what to say...AND when to say it. But not me...no, unfortunately...I put my foot in my mouth so much it has found a new permanent home...now I hop around one foot just trying to keep the rest of me intact!

Do you need to speak? Do you need to know just the right words...no, my friends...we do not...and here is the scriptural proof:

Acts 28:15: “From there the brothers, when they heard the news about us, came as far as the Marketplace of Apʹpi·us and Three Taverns to meet us. On catching sight of them, Paul thanked God and took courage.”

Upon catching sight...he thanked God and took courage. And this trek they made was no easy walk...the whole area was infested with mosquitoes and all sorts of horrible terrain. But they walked it...and it paid off...before they had even uttered a single word.

Now, about this beautiful sight...here...have a look for yourselves:

What makes this so beautiful? What makes it so precious to Jehovah that he would inspire his friend to make a song about it?

Maybe I don't understand all the reasons...and I'm okay with that. But here is a quote from a scientist that I found so profound...so germane to this subject...I simply had to include it:

"Dew is not enough by itself to keep plants alive long term, but during periods of drought these secondary processes become more relevant. Dew may help some species survive drought conditions."

Friends...Satan's world is in a drought...a serious spiritual drought that is growing stronger day by day.

Whether you know it or not...whether you want to believe it of yourself personally or not...each and every single one of you... is one of those dew drops...and whether you realize it or not...you have the ability to help others survive the drought of Satan's world. Like literal dew, we can't save every plant...but we may help SOME species survive.

But how?? It's easy to sit here and say that...but HOW??

Penetrate the heart of just one drop of water...and you will be flooded by a hundred oceans.

Open your hearts, friends. Your presence doesn't go unnoticed...even if no one ever tells you otherwise. Your kind words...your loving prayers...they don't go unnoticed...even if not a single other human sees or acknowledges it. Your presence at the meetings...on the ministry groups...do NOT go unnoticed...no matter if you ever hear a thank you or a “nice to see you” ...Jehovah sees everything and will repay you more than you can ever imagine.

And in regard to all of us on here...your posts do NOT go unnoticed...your likes...your emojis on someone else's posts...they do NOT go unnoticed. A simple thumbs up on someone's post that touched you...can equal Paul's catching sight of those dear brothers coming to meet him...trust me...I know.

We are in the last days...of the last days...each and every one of us has both the ability and the need to be a source of refreshment...because we are willing servants.

One last thought...just a personal reflection on Psalms 110:3...even though the slave has applied the latter part of the verse to the physically younger brothers and sisters who willingly join our ranks...isn't it a beautiful thought to know that Jehovah views each and every single one of us as being “young”?

We will be billions of years old...to the point where we probably won't even remember our physical age...and we will STILL always be “young” to Jehovah.

So please...continue to be just a simple drop of water...and allow Jehovah to use you...right through the end of this old drought straight into a world that will be brimming...with millions...even billions of sparkling drops of water just like you.