Thursday, February 16 I will exult in Jehovah; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.​—Hab. 3:18.

[Áine]

Thursday, February 16

I will exult in Jehovah; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.—Hab. 3:18.

 

It is natural for a family head to want to provide sufficient food, clothing, and shelter for his wife and children. Are you facing economic hardship? If so, this is a difficult time for you. However, as challenging as your circumstances are, you can use this time to build your faith. Prayerfully read Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 6:25-34 and meditate on them. Consider modern-day experiences that prove that Jehovah provides for those who stay busy in theocratic activities. (1 Cor. 15:58) Doing so will strengthen your confidence that just as your heavenly Father has helped others in similar circumstances, he will help you. He knows what you need, and he knows how to provide it. As you experience Jehovah’s help in your life, your faith will grow stronger so that you can endure greater trials in the future. w21.11 20 ¶3; 21 ¶6

 

[Esined]

It’s so easy to forget this in the day-to-day grind, but it’s true, “keep on seeking first the kingdom” works every time, for every type of anxiety-provoking situation, not just economic hardship.

 

I’ve seen this work every time in stressful financial situations. Even when it doesn’t work out in the way you imagine, Jehovah always provides exactly in time and in exactly the right way.

 

“On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious+ about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear.+ Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing?+26 Observe intently the birds of heaven;+ they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? 27 Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?+ 28 Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; 29 but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon+ in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. 30 Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? 31 So never be anxious+ and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’+ 32 For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.+ 34 So never be anxious about the next day,+ for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.”