Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.

)
Ps 136:15What insight into the Exodus account does this verse provide? (it-1 783 _5)
*** w09 3/15 p. 7 You Must Not Forget Jehovah ***
While the Egyptians struggled with their crippled war vehicles, all Israel reached the eastern shore. Moses now
stretched out his hand over the Red Sea. At that, Jehovah made the walls of water forming the corridor collapse. Millions
of tons of water roared in upon Pharaoh and his warriors, drowning them. None of those enemies survived. Israel was
free!Ex. 14:26-28; Ps. 136:13-15.
*** g 3/07 p. 21 Is Humility a Weakness or a Strength? ***
The Bible likens Jehovah to a potter and humans to clay. (Isaiah 64:8) Humility helps a person to be like soft clay in
Gods hands, someone he can mold into a desirable vessel; whereas the haughty are like dry, hard clay that can only be
crushed. An infamous example of the latter is the proud Pharaoh of ancient Egypt who defied Jehovah at the cost of his
life. (Exodus 5:2; 9:17; Psalm 136:15) Pharaohs demise well illustrates the proverb: Pride is before a crash, and a
haughty spirit before stumbling.Proverbs 16:18.
The aforementioned does not imply that Gods people never struggle with pride. Jesus apostles, for example, often
argued over who was the greatest among them. (Luke 22:24-27) Still, they were not consumed by pride but listened to
Jesus and eventually changed their attitude.
The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life, wrote Solomon. (Proverbs 22:4) What
sound reasons we have for cultivating humility! Not only is it a strong and endearing quality but it also helps us to gain
Gods favor and the reward of everlasting life.2 Samuel 22:28; James 4:10.

Ps 141:5What did King David acknowledge? (w15 4/15 31 _1)

The wounds of a friend. *** w01 6/15 p. 32 The Wounds of a Friend ***
With divinely inspired insight, the psalmist wrote: Should the righteous one strike me, it would be a loving-kindness;
and should he reprove me, it would be oil upon the head, which my head would not want to refuse.Psalm 141:5.
*** w77 1/15 p. 50 Are You Willing to Listen? ***
How do you listen, particularly when God speaks to you through his Word? Or when one of his representatives, an
overseer or another faithful brother, speaks? Do you take the information to heart, getting the sense of it and applying it to
yourself? The proverb says: Listen to counsel and accept discipline, in order that you may become wise in your future.
(Prov. 19:20) And King David, who underwent strong discipline, wrote: Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:
and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.Ps. 141:5, Authorized Version.
*** w93 5/15 p. 16 Call the Older Men ***
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It is sometimes difficult for us to know how to apply Bible principles to our personal circumstances. Here Christian
elders can prove to be an invaluable source of help. For instance, they pray over the spiritually sick one and grease him
with oil in the name of Jehovah by skillfully applying soothing instruction from Gods Word. Elders can thus contribute
much to our spiritual recovery. (Psalm 141:5) Often, all we need is confirmation that we are reasoning in the right way.
Talking matters over with an experienced Christian elder will strengthen our determination to do what is right.Proverbs
27:17.
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When called to visit, Christian elders need to speak consolingly to the depressed souls. They will also support the
weak, [and] be long-suffering toward all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Such an intimate, understanding relationship between
the older men and the weak bodes well for a complete recovery of spiritual health.
*** g77 3/8 p. 3 Are You Sensitive in a Right Way? ***
King David of ancient Israel was a wise man in this regard. In one of his psalms he says: Should the righteous one
strike me, it would be a loving-kindness; and should he reprove me, it would be oil upon the head, which my head would
not want to refuse. (Ps. 141:5) And not only did he say that, but he lived by those words. On several occasions he was
reproved for taking a wrong course, but at no time did he resent it. His son, King Solomon, expressed similar sentiments

in one of his proverbs, saying: Open reproof is better than love concealed. The blows a friend gives are well meant.
Prov. 27:5, 6, The New English Bible

What does this weeks Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

*** ws chap. 18 pp. 147-148 Loyalty to Gods Visible Organization Today ***
Gods Organization Their Chief Cause for Rejoicing
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Although Jehovahs servants were branded in the world as disloyal, traitors, and unpatriotic, they did not renounce
Jehovahs organization. They refused to compromise under that pressure. They would rather lose the use of their right
hand or become mute than forget Gods organization and no longer let it be their chief cause for rejoicing.Psalm
137:5, 6.
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Jehovahs enemies maliciously rejoiced over the action against the earthly representatives of his universal
organization. But Jehovahs servants prayed for his day of vengeance to come because of all this affront heaped upon his
organization. They took up the words that the psalmist spoke with reference to ancient Edom: Remember, O Jehovah,
regarding the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who were saying: Lay it bare! Lay it bare to the foundation within it!
(Psalm 137:7; Galatians 4:26) Ah, no, Jehovah loves his wifelike organization too dearly to forget what those who are part
of the Devils organization say and do against the loyal ones of his earthly organization.
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To all outward appearances at that time, such political sympathizers with Babylon the Great did lay Jehovahs visible
organization bare to the foundation within it. They never expected to see it rise from the dust to the worldwide
organization that it is today.

What points from this weeks Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?
*** w00 9/1 p. 30 Jehovah Always Rewards His Loyal Ones ***
As I reflect on my many experiences in life, I remember how the Bible has been a very precious guide. Sometimes, I
use Aileens personal Bible and derive great pleasure from noting what touched her heartwhole verses, specific
phrases, and individual words that she marked. As was the case with Aileen, I too have scriptures that carry special
meaning for me. One passage is the 137th Psalm, which expresses this beautiful prayer to Jehovah: May I never be able
to play the harp again if I forget you, Jerusalem! May I never be able to sing again if I do not remember you, if I do not
think of you as my greatest joy! (Psalm 137:5, 6, Todays English Version) Although I love music, my greatest joy comes
from loyally serving Jehovah, who has rewarded me with a full and satisfying life.
PSALMS 135-141
.
*** w00 9/1 p. 30 Jehovah Always Rewards His Loyal Ones ***
As I reflect on my many experiences in life, I remember how the Bible has been a very precious guide. Sometimes, I
use Aileens personal Bible and derive great pleasure from noting what touched her heartwhole verses, specific
phrases, and individual words that she marked. As was the case with Aileen, I too have scriptures that carry special
meaning for me. One passage is the 137th Psalm, which expresses this beautiful prayer to Jehovah: May I never be able
to play the harp again if I forget you, Jerusalem! May I never be able to sing again if I do not remember you, if I do not
think of you as my greatest joy! (Psalm 137:5, 6, Todays English Version) Although I love music, my greatest joy comes
from loyally serving Jehovah, who has rewarded me with a full and satisfying life.