CINXE.COM
Safeguarded by Faith and Hope — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
<!DOCTYPE html> <html dir="ltr" lang="en"> <head> <title>Safeguarded by Faith and Hope — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/> <meta name="description" content="This is an authorized Web site of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses."/> <meta name="keywords" content="jehovah's witnesses, jehovah, witness, watchtower, library, online, publications"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no"/> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/icon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/icon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/icon/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#799FCC"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/icon/favicon.ico"> <meta name="msapplication-config" content="/icon/browserconfig.xml"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="WOL"> <meta name="application-name" content="WOL"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#799fcc"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="black"/> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="no"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://b.jw-cdn.org/code/media-player/v3.0.0/css/media-player.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+0+974f270baf9554651558d525c4fb9b2bbaba7049.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+1+eda9e25e8d65b8146f2068ea6cf0d4486172ce3d.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+2+8bc20ec72a3d6bdee112c222e4724ab91daca5e0.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+3+3f2dde42da26a1b3194c6431758aca9de2289d76.css"/> <script> var localizedNumbers = ["0","1"]; window.VIDEOJS_NO_DYNAMIC_STYLE = true; </script> <input id="insightApi" type="hidden" value="https://b.jw-cdn.org/apis/insight/events" /> <script src="/assets/js/+0+3b23965c032d57f4d3f2965f87b3740e2c650208.js"></script> </head> <body class="showRuby cc-theme--light DynamicLayout"> <style id="scalableui"></style> <script> if (window.Cookies != null) { // Apply user preferred font size // Doesn't apply to static pages, all of which don't scale text var fontScale = Cookies.get('fontScale'); if (fontScale) { var scalableuiStyleContainer = document.getElementById('scalableui'); var scalableuiStyleSheet = scalableuiStyleContainer.sheet; scalableuiStyleSheet.insertRule( '.scalableui{font-size:' + fontScale * 100 + '%;}', scalableuiStyleSheet.cssRules.length ); } } </script> <div id="wrapper" class="dropShadow50"> <input id="locale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="tooltipContentErrorMessage" type="hidden" value="Please click here to open the document." /> <input id="rsconf" type="hidden" value="r1" /> <input id="lib" type="hidden" value="lp-e" /> <input id="libLang" type="hidden" value="English" /> <input id="libTitle" type="hidden" value="English Publications (1950-2025)" /> <input id="libDir" type="hidden" value="ltr" /> <input id="libLangSym" type="hidden" value="E" /> <input id="libLangScript" type="hidden" value="ROMAN" /> <input id="libLangIsSignLanguage" type="hidden" value="" /> <input id="libraryLocale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="contentLocale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="contentRsconf" type="hidden" value="r1" /> <input id="contentLib" type="hidden" value="lp-e" /> <input id="contentLibLang" type="hidden" value="English" /> <input id="contentLibTitle" type="hidden" value="English Publications (1950-2025)" /> <input id="rubyAvailable" type="hidden" value="false" /> <input id="contentLibDir" type="hidden" value="ltr" /> <input id="contentLibLangSym" type="hidden" value="E" /> <input id="contentLibLangScript" type="hidden" value="ROMAN" /> <input id="contentLibLangIsSignLanguage" type="hidden" value="false" /> <input id="siteCookieDomain" type="hidden" value="wol.jw.org" /> <input id="audioMultiselect" type="hidden" value="" /> <input id="site" type="hidden" value="unified" /> <input id="updatedMediaPlayer" type="hidden" value="1" /> <div id="regionHeader" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="siteBanner"> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e"> <span class="logo"><span class="icon"></span></span> <div class="ellipsized label"> <span class="ellipsized titleBig">Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY</span> <div class="ellipsized titleLittle siteTitleLine1">Watchtower</div> <div class="ellipsized titleLittle siteTitleLine2">ONLINE LIBRARY</div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="language"> <a class="chrome librarySelectionLink spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">English</span> </a> </div> </div> <div id="toolbarFrame"> <div id="standardSearch" class="searchControl"> <form class="searchForm" role="search" method="GET" action="/en/wol/qt/r1/lp-e"> <div class="searchFieldContainer"> <input type="hidden" id="st" name="st" /> <input class="searchField" name="q" accept-charset="utf-8" type="text" title="Search operators: * = any text; ? = any character; " " = exact phrase; & = AND; | = OR; ! = NOT; () = group" aria-label="Type search text or a Bible citation" placeholder="Enter Topic" autocomplete="off" autocapitalize="off" autocorrect="off" autofocus="autofocus" spellcheck="false" maxlength="256" value=""/> <span class="searchFieldCancel"><span class="icon"></span></span> </div> <div class="searchControlContainer"> <input type="hidden" name="p" value="par"/> <input type="hidden" name="r" value="occ"/> <input class="searchButton" type="submit" value="SEARCH"/> </div> <div class="searchControlButtons"> <button class="searchIcon menuButton" type="button" aria-label="search"><span class="icon"></span></button> <button class="closeIcon menuButton" type="button" aria-label="cancel"><span class="icon"></span></button> </div> <div class="suggestions hidden"></div> </form> </div> <div id="toolbarMenu"> <ul class="menu" role="menu"> <li id="menuToolsPreferences" class="menuButton iconOnly menuRight" role="menuitem" aria-label="preferences"> <a href="/en/wol/pref/r1/lp-e?url=%2Fen%2Fwol%2Fd%2Fr1%2Flp-e%2F1975045" rel="nofollow"><span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> <li id="menuToolsShare" class="menuButton iconOnly menuRight" role="menuitem" aria-label="share"> <a id="shareButton" class="shareButtonIcon hidden" href="#"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="menuHome" role="menuitem" class="showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e" aria-label="home"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </div> <div id="menuFrame"> <ul id="menuBar" class="menu" role="menubar"> <li id="menuBible" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="bible" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/binav/r1/lp-e" role="menuitem" aria-label="bible"><span class="icon"></span><span class="label">BIBLE</span></a> </li> <li id="menuPublications" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="publications" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications" role="menuitem" aria-label="publications"><span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">PUBLICATIONS</span></a> </li> <li id="menuToday" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="meetings" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a class="todayNav" href="/en/wol/meetings/r1/lp-e" role="menuitem" aria-label="meetings"><span class="icon"></span><span class="label">MEETINGS</span></a> </li> <li id="menuSynchronizeControls" class="hidden"> <ul> <li id="menuSynchronize" class="chrome menuButton tbSync hidden" role="menuitem" aria-label="synchronize"> <a id="linkSynchronize" href="#" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label"></span> </a> </li> <li id="menuSynchronizeSwitch" class="chrome menuButton tbSync" role="menuitem"> <a id="linkSynchronizeSwitch" href="#" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="menuSearchHitNext" class="chrome menuButton iconOnly menuRight hidden showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="#"><span class="icon"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="publicationNavigation" class="chrome"> <div class="secondaryNavToggle"><span class="icon"></span></div> <div class="pubNavTitle"> <div class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul> <li class="resultsNavigationSelected documentLocation navPublications"><a href="/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/watchtower/the-watchtower-1975/january-15" class="spriteLink ellipsized"><span class="icon"></span>w75 1/15 pp. 49-54</a></li> <li class="resultDocumentPubTitle ellipsized"> Safeguarded by Faith and Hope </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="chrome forwardBackNavControls resultNavControls"> <ul> <li class="resultNavLeft"><a class="resultsNavDocumentLink" href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1975044"><span class="icon"></span></a></li><li class="resultNavRight"><a class="resultsNavDocumentLink" href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1975046"><span class="icon"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="navPosition hidden showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="scrollPositionDisplay"></div> </div> </div> <div id="playerwrapper" class="hidden headerPosition"></div> </div> <div id="regionMain" class="unified navLeft showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr hasSecondaryNav showSecondaryNav" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr" > <div id="videoWrapperContainer" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="videoWrapper" class="hidden headerPosition constrainedHeight hasSecondaryNav showSecondaryNav showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="topShadow"></div> <div class="videoNoticeContainer"> <p class="noticeText noMarkerNotice">No video available for this selection.</p> <p class="noticeText videoErrorNotice">Sorry, there was an error loading the video.</p> </div> <div id="playerShared" class="uninitialized"></div> </div> </div> <div id="secondaryNavContent" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="secondaryNav" role="navigation"> <nav> <div id="resultNavigation"><div class="resultNavTitle"> <ul> <li class="resultsNavigationSelected "><span><span class="navContent">Safeguarded by Faith and Hope</span></span></li><li class="resultDocumentPubTitle "><span><span class="navContent">The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1975</span></span></li> </ul> </div></div> </nav> <div id="documentNavigation" class="chrome"> <ul class="navigationTabs"> <li class="active tabItem" data-related-content="subheadings"> <div class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr"> Subheadings </div> </li> <li class="tabItem" data-related-content="similarMaterial"> <div class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr"> Similar Material </div> </li> </ul> <div class="navigationContents"> <div id="subheadings" class="active tabContent" role="navigation"> <nav> <ul class="documentNavigation noTooltips" role="navigation"> <li class="subheading"><a href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1975045#p8">SAFEGUARDED AGAINST MATERIALISM</a></li> <li class="subheading"><a href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1975045#p16">PROTECTED FROM DIRECT DEMON INFLUENCE</a></li> <li class="subheading"><a href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1975045#p25">SAFEGUARDED AGAINST SUCCUMBING TO THE FEAR OF DEATH</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div id="similarMaterial" class="tabContent"> <ul class="results linkCard"> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1993527" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-w93 cat-w " data-pub-symbol="w93" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Prosperity Can Test Your Faith </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1993 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1978765" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-w78 cat-w " data-pub-symbol="w78" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Bearing the Burden of Injustice </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1978 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1102008588" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-yp2 cat-bk " data-pub-symbol="yp2" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Role Model—Asaph </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/2001284" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-w01 cat-w " data-pub-symbol="w01" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> How to Cope With Negative Feelings </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—2001 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="moreSimDocs"> <a class="spriteLinkRight" href="/en/wol/sim/r1/lp-e/1975045">See More<span class="icon"></span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="documentCitationInformation"> <div>The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1975</div> <div><strong>w75 1/15 pp. 49-54</strong></div> </div> <div id="content" class="content"> <div class="articlePositioner" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="banner" class="documentBanner showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> </div> <article id="article" class="article document html5 pub- docId-1975045 pub-w75 pub- pub-w75 docClass-40 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr includeSecondaryNav" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr" role="article"> <div class="scalableui"> <p id="p1" data-pid="1" class="st"><span id="page49" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="49" data-before-text="49"></span><strong>Safeguarded by Faith and Hope</strong></p> <p id="p2" data-pid="2" class="sa">“[Christ] was made manifest . . . so that your faith and hope might be in God.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/0/0" data-bid="1-1" class="b">1 Pet. 1:20, 21</a>.</p> <p id="p34" data-pid="34" class="qu"> 1. How does the question as to whether this life is all there is affect people?</p> <p id="p3" data-pid="3" data-rel-pid="[34]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="1"></span>IS THIS life all there is? That question affects everyone alive today. It is a question that perplexes many people, and the answer that a person accepts deeply influences his life. Every year tens of thousands of persons find that the right answer brings them true joy and gives purposeful direction to their life. On the other hand, because of accepting wrong answers, millions upon millions of persons are being exploited and are leading lives that result in very little satisfaction.</p> <p id="p35" data-pid="35" class="qu"> 2. Why is the evolutionist’s view of life not satisfying?</p> <p id="p4" data-pid="4" data-rel-pid="[35]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="2"><sup>2</sup></span> Consider the evolutionist. To him, this life is all there is. But what does that leave him? Evolution cannot explain why world conditions are worsening nor can it give him solutions for the problems of life that he must face. And he has no hope for the future. Evolution holds before him as an individual only the eventual prospect of being dead forever.</p> <p id="p36" data-pid="36" class="qu">3, 4. What shows that many professedly religious people have no real faith and hope?</p> <p id="p5" data-pid="5" data-rel-pid="[36]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="3"><sup>3</sup></span> What about the members of religious organizations that do not teach God’s Word or, at best, only make a pretense of doing so? Are they any better off? Do they have real faith and a well-founded hope? As you know, many professedly religious people today are as materialistic as those who claim no religion. They live only for the present, struggling to make a living, to get comfortably situated materially. To attain their goal, they may sacrifice principle, disregard the welfare of fellowmen and, as a result, suffer the pangs of a disturbed conscience. Many members of these organizations do not really believe what their religion teaches. But they go along with tradition, not wanting to be different from their neighbors. They may even pay out hard-earned money for ceremonies that are part of the religion, but that they do not believe to have any real value.</p> <p id="p6" data-pid="6" data-rel-pid="[36]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="4"><sup>4</sup></span> But what if a person is not like that? What if he really does believe in his religion and molds his hopes in harmony with it? Nevertheless, of what benefit is it if he has not been taught the truth? Unknowingly, he is building his whole life around falsehoods, and this is bound to lead to disappointment.</p> <p id="p37" data-pid="37" class="qu"> 5. What is the situation of those whose faith and hope are solidly based on the Bible?</p> <p id="p7" data-pid="7" data-rel-pid="[37]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="5"><sup>5</sup></span> Only the truth, as contained in the Word of God, can lastingly benefit mankind. That Word provides the basis for genuine faith. (Compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/1/0" data-bid="2-1" class="b">Romans 10:5-15</a>.) It does not encourage gullibility, a readiness to believe even when evidence is lacking. Instead, it sets out ample evidence as a basis for one’s faith. As a result, genuine Christians know that Jehovah is the true God, that the Bible is his Word, and that hope based on his promises will never come to disappointment. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/2/0" data-bid="3-1" class="b">Josh. 21:45</a>) They are convinced that, just as he has promised, God will soon destroy the present wicked system and transform this earth into a lovely paradise. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/3/0" data-bid="4-1" class="b">Rev. 11:18;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/3/1" data-bid="4-2" class="b"> 21:3, 4</a>) They firmly believe that under <span id="page50" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="50" data-before-text="50"></span>his kingdom he will, by means of his Son, restore the dead to life and aid obedient ones to attain to perfection. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/4/0" data-bid="5-1" class="b">John 5:26-29</a>) They are persuaded that even now God cares for his servants. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/5/0" data-bid="6-1" class="b">1 Pet. 5:6, 7</a>) It is this conviction, based on God’s Word, that safeguards devoted servants of Jehovah against the frustrations of a life from which faith and hope are missing.</p> <p id="p8" data-pid="8" class="ss"><strong>SAFEGUARDED AGAINST MATERIALISM</strong></p> <p id="p38" data-pid="38" class="qu"> 6. Why, as illustrated in the case of Asaph, should devoted servants of Jehovah not take their faith and hope for granted?</p> <p id="p9" data-pid="9" data-rel-pid="[38]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="6"><sup>6</sup></span> Yet even though true Christians have such faith and hope, they cannot allow themselves to lose sight of the fact that, if they are careless, the world’s materialistic view can infect them. Their faith can weaken and their hope can grow dim. This is what happened to a man named Asaph who lived many centuries ago. He found that his attitude about the prosperity of the wicked had deprived him of joy. Regarding his feelings, Asaph wrote:</p> <p id="p10" data-pid="10" class="si"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="6"></span>“As for me, my feet had almost turned aside, my steps had nearly been made to slip. For I became envious of the boasters, when I would see the very peace of wicked people. For they have no deathly pangs; and their paunch is fat. They are not even in the trouble of mortal man, and they are not plagued the same as other men. Therefore haughtiness has served as a necklace to them; violence envelops them as a garment. Their eye has bulged from fatness; they have exceeded the imaginations of the heart. They scoff and speak about what is bad; about defrauding they speak in an elevated style. They have put their mouth in the very heavens, and their tongue itself walks about in the earth. And they have said: ‘How has God come to know? And does there exist knowledge in the Most High?’ Look! These are the wicked, who are at ease indefinitely. They have increased their means of maintenance. Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart and that I wash my hands in innocence itself.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/6/0" data-bid="7-1" class="b">Ps. 73:2-9,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/6/1" data-bid="7-2" class="b"> 11-13</a>.</p> <p id="p39" data-pid="39" class="qu">7, 8. (a) What was wrong with Asaph’s thinking? (b) What is the real source of happiness?</p> <p id="p11" data-pid="11" data-rel-pid="[39]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="7"><sup>7</sup></span> Asaph’s reasoning was dangerous. He had lost sight of the fact that genuine happiness and contentment do not come through material prosperity alone. He was actually thinking like those who were not serving Jehovah God. As he himself said, “These are the wicked.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/7/0" data-bid="8-1" class="b">Ps. 73:12</a>.</p> <p id="p12" data-pid="12" data-rel-pid="[39]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="8"><sup>8</sup></span> The wrongness of Asaph’s thinking is further emphasized in <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/8/0" data-bid="9-1" class="b">Psalm 144</a>. In this psalm David has the <em>wicked</em> express the following thoughts: “Our sons are like little plants grown up in their youth, our daughters like corners carved in palace style, our garners full, furnishing products of one sort after another, our flocks multiplying by thousands, ten thousand to one, in our streets, our cattle loaded down, <span id="page51" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="51" data-before-text="51"></span>without any rupture and with no abortion, and with no outcry in our public squares. Happy is the people for whom it is just like that!” So it would seem. But is material prosperity alone the source of happiness? No, in itself it can leave life empty and meaningless. Genuine happiness lies elsewhere. In the latter part of <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/9/0" data-bid="10-1" class="b">Ps 144 verse 15</a> David indicates a change to another speaker; there David rightly points to what makes for true happiness, saying, “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/10/0" data-bid="11-1" class="b">Ps. 144:12-15</a>) Is that the way you view life? Certainly, a fine relationship with the Creator brings true happiness.</p> <p id="p40" data-pid="40" class="qu"> 9. (a) What prevented Asaph from being completely stumbled by wrong thinking? (b) How did he come to feel about his relationship with Jehovah?</p> <p id="p13" data-pid="13" data-rel-pid="[40]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="9"><sup>9</sup></span> Although Asaph had nearly been caused to stumble due to his failure to appreciate this all-important relationship, he succeeded in recovering himself. He, like the psalmist David, came to see that a fine relationship with Jehovah God meant more than anything else. How did this change in Asaph’s outlook come about? Realizing that his thinking was wrong, Asaph went to the sanctuary. There, among the congregation of Jehovah’s people, he began to discern that the seeming prosperity of the wicked is only short-lived, whereas a good relationship with God leads to permanent blessings, including material ones. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/11/0" data-bid="12-1" class="b">Ps. 73:15-22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/11/1" data-bid="12-2" class="b"> 72:16</a>) Out of the abundance of an appreciative heart, Asaph then expressed himself to God in the words found at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/12/0" data-bid="13-1" class="b">Psalm 73:23-28</a>:</p> <p id="p14" data-pid="14" class="si"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="9"></span>“I am constantly with you; you have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel you will lead me, and afterward you will take me even to glory. Whom do I have in the heavens? And besides you I do have no other delight on the earth. My organism and my heart have failed. God is the rock of my heart and my share to time indefinite. For, look! the very ones keeping away from you will perish. You will certainly silence every one immorally leaving you. But as for me, the drawing near to God is good for me. In the Sovereign Lord Jehovah I have placed my refuge, to declare all your works.”</p> <p id="p41" data-pid="41" class="qu">10. What should be a Christian’s view of material possessions, and how will this right view prevent him from losing God’s favor?</p> <p id="p15" data-pid="15" data-rel-pid="[41]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="10"><sup>10</sup></span> If you are a dedicated Christian, is this the way you feel about your relationship with Jehovah God? All of us should. But could it be that some have allowed the materialistic thinking of the world to mold their viewpoint? While professing to serve God, are they really putting the acquiring of material things first in life? Such a course would surely be damaging to their relationship with the One on whom their life depends. Jesus Christ truthfully said: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/13/0" data-bid="14-1" class="b">Luke 12:15</a>) Under inspiration the apostle John wrote: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/14/0" data-bid="15-1" class="b">1 John 2:17</a>) True, the world’s economic situation is shaky; it can be difficult to provide for one’s family. But if we have faith and hope that are centered in Jehovah, we will be safeguarded against any temptation to relegate our service to God to a secondary place in life. Regardless of what conditions develop, we will be able to face the future with full confidence, knowing that God cares for his faithful servants. His promise is: “I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/15/0" data-bid="16-1" class="b">Heb. 13:5;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/15/1" data-bid="16-2" class="b"> Matt. 6:25-34</a>.</p> <p id="p16" data-pid="16" class="ss"><strong>PROTECTED FROM DIRECT DEMON INFLUENCE</strong></p> <p id="p42" data-pid="42" class="qu">11. What did King Saul resort to in an attempt to get to know the future?</p> <p id="p17" data-pid="17" data-rel-pid="[42]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="11"><sup>11</sup></span> People of the world, lacking such faith, often seek guidance from sources that only worsen their situation. That is what King Saul of ancient Israel did. Because of having sinned against Jehovah, Saul was cut off from all divine communication. As he put it, “God himself has departed from me and has answered <span id="page52" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="52" data-before-text="52"></span>me no more, either by means of the prophets or by dreams.” About to face the Philistines in battle, Saul desperately wanted some direction about what he should do. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/16/0" data-bid="17-1" class="b">1 Sam. 28:15</a>) So, instead of humbly begging Jehovah God for forgiveness, he turned to spiritism for help. Contrary to the Law that he as an Israelite was under obligation to obey, he consulted a spirit medium.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/17/0" data-bid="18-1" class="b">Lev. 19:31;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/17/1" data-bid="18-2" class="b"> 20:6;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/17/2" data-bid="18-3" class="b"> 1 Sam. 28:8</a>.</p> <p id="p43" data-pid="43" class="qu">12. Did Saul’s consulting a spirit medium bring him the comfort and direction that he wanted, and why was that the case?</p> <p id="p18" data-pid="18" data-rel-pid="[43]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="12"><sup>12</sup></span> But did Saul’s action give him the comfort and direction that he desired? Not in the least. He received a gloomy message. As to the effect that this had on him, the Bible record tells us: “Saul quickly fell down his full length to the earth and became very much afraid.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/18/0" data-bid="19-1" class="b">1 Sam. 28:20</a>) He certainly did not improve his situation by what he did. Though he had told the spirit medium that he wanted to speak with Samuel the prophet, Saul knew that Samuel was dead, unable to speak. The fact that God’s law condemned talking with the dead as something detestable should have made Saul realize that seeming communication with the dead through spirit mediums was a fraudulent deception perpetrated by wicked spirit forces.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/19/0" data-bid="20-1" class="b">Deut. 18:10-12</a>.</p> <p id="p44" data-pid="44" class="qu">13. Why may one’s knowing what the Bible says not prevent one from falling into the trap that King Saul did?</p> <p id="p19" data-pid="19" data-rel-pid="[44]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="13"><sup>13</sup></span> A person may know what the Bible says about such matters. Nevertheless, the great amount of publicity given to occult practices may cause him to become curious. He may hear about someone who reportedly can predict the future accurately. Or he may come to know about the various means of divination used—Ouija boards, ESP, astrology, crystal-ball gazing and the like. His fascination may become so great that he may want to find out firsthand whether such things really work. He might be willing to ‘try anything once.’</p> <p id="p45" data-pid="45" class="qu">14. What can happen to those who dabble in the occult?</p> <p id="p20" data-pid="20" data-rel-pid="[45]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="14"><sup>14</sup></span> Is that wise? Definitely not. His curiosity can lead to his coming under demon harassment. Supernatural disturbances may rob him of sleep and fill even daylight hours with dread. He may begin to hear strange voices, suggesting that he kill himself or someone else. This is no mere supposition. Case histories prove that this has actually happened.</p> <p id="p46" data-pid="46" class="qu">15, 16. How does Jehovah view occult practices?</p> <p id="p21" data-pid="21" data-rel-pid="[46]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="15"><sup>15</sup></span> If we truly have faith in God’s Word, we will not allow any undue curiosity about occult practices to build up in our minds, and this will be a safeguard. Jehovah God does not view this matter lightly. To protect the Israelites from being deceived and harmed by wicked spirits, he made the practice of divination an offense worthy of death. God’s Word said: “You must not preserve a sorceress alive.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/20/0" data-bid="21-1" class="b">Ex. 22:18</a>) “As for a man or woman in whom there proves to be a mediumistic spirit or spirit of prediction, they should be put to death without fail.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/21/0" data-bid="22-1" class="b">Lev. 20:27</a>.</p> <p id="p22" data-pid="22" data-rel-pid="[46]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="16"><sup>16</sup></span> Has Jehovah’s view of spirit mediums, sorcerers and diviners changed? Not at all! A decree from God still stands against all who persist in the practice of spiritism. <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/22/0" data-bid="23-1" class="b">Revelation 21:8</a> lists them among those meriting the judgment of “second death.” That means eternal death from which recovery is impossible. So, if any persons who have dabbled in this sort of thing want to do the will of God, now is the time to clean it out of their lives.</p> <p id="p47" data-pid="47" class="qu">17. What should those seeking God’s approval do with items associated with the occult?</p> <p id="p23" data-pid="23" data-rel-pid="[47]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="17"><sup>17</sup></span> As to any items closely associated with spiritistic practices, make sure that none of such things are in your home. Imitate the example of those who accepted true worship in Ephesus, of whom <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/23/0" data-bid="24-1" class="b">Acts 19:19</a> reports: “Quite a number of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them up before everybody.” Expensive as these items were, the <span id="page53" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="53" data-before-text="53"></span>Ephesians who embraced Christianity did not hold back from destroying them.</p> <p id="p48" data-pid="48" class="qu">18. What does the situation in Christendom regarding occultism reveal about the failure of her religious leaders?</p> <p id="p24" data-pid="24" data-rel-pid="[48]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="18"><sup>18</sup></span> The current upsurge of interest in occult practices in the midst of Christendom certainly points up the failure of her religious leaders. Even so-called educated people consult fortune-tellers, dabble in astrology, carry “lucky” charms or, in some parts of the earth, seek cures from medicine men who invoke false gods. It would come as a great surprise to most of these persons to learn that the Bible condemns what they are doing. They have not been told what God’s Word says. Their clergymen have failed to teach them these things and have therefore left them open to demonic assault.</p> <p id="p25" data-pid="25" class="ss"><strong>SAFEGUARDED AGAINST SUCCUMBING TO THE FEAR OF DEATH</strong></p> <p id="p49" data-pid="49" class="qu">19. According to <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/30/0" data-bid="31-1" class="b">Hebrews 2:14, 15</a>, what powerful means has Satan used to control people?</p> <p id="p26" data-pid="26" data-rel-pid="[49]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="19"><sup>19</sup></span> Besides demon possession and harassment, another powerful device that Satan has used to control humankind is the fear of death. Consider what <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/24/0" data-bid="25-1" class="b">Hebrews 2:14, 15</a> says about this. Here Jesus Christ is referred to as the one who is in a position to “bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil.” We are also told that Jesus can “emancipate all those who for fear of death were subject to slavery all through their lives.”</p> <p id="p50" data-pid="50" class="qu">20. Illustrate how Satan has used fear of violent death to hold people in slavery.</p> <p id="p27" data-pid="27" data-rel-pid="[50]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="20"><sup>20</sup></span> There can be no question that humans generally fear having their life cut off prematurely by violent means. This is the kind of death referred to in this scripture, and Satan the Devil has exploited fear of such death to the full. He uses this fear to maneuver humans into doing his bidding. Events of this century well illustrate this. For example, in Nazi Germany many people were afraid of the consequences of not doing what their superiors demanded. These people feared the possibility of being executed. So they went against the dictates of their conscience and committed dastardly crimes against humanity.</p> <p id="p51" data-pid="51" class="qu">21, 22. What liberates Jehovah’s devoted servants from being unduly fearful about having their life taken by violent means?</p> <p id="p28" data-pid="28" data-rel-pid="[51]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="21"><sup>21</sup></span> Our God-given faith and hope, however, can safeguard us from becoming so fearful that we back down from what we know is right, and thereby ruin our conscience and lose divine favor. We need not fear unduly, because we know that Jehovah loves us, that our lives are precious to him. Note the comforting words of Jesus Christ: “My friends, Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more. But I will indicate to you whom to fear: Fear him who after killing has authority to throw into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear this One. Five sparrows sell for two coins of small value, do they not? Yet not one of them goes forgotten before God. But even the hairs of your heads are all numbered. Have no fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/25/0" data-bid="26-1" class="b">Luke 12:4-7</a>.</p> <p id="p29" data-pid="29" data-rel-pid="[51]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="22"><sup>22</sup></span> True men can kill the body. But they cannot destroy the soul everlastingly. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/26/0" data-bid="27-1" class="b">Matt. 10:28</a>) And what is the “soul” in this case? It is the person’s God-given title to be a living being. Men cannot blot the person out of God’s provision and so make it impossible for him to live again. So any who refuse to yield to the fear of death and who maintain integrity, even when their lives are taken, continue living according to God’s viewpoint. Jehovah will safeguard their title to life. He will not forget a single detail about them. He remembers their personality, their mental growth and experience in life. And he will restore such in the resurrection.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/27/0" data-bid="28-1" class="b">2 Cor. 1:8, 9</a>.</p> <p id="p52" data-pid="52" class="qu">23. How can faith and hope strengthen us when confronted with the threat of death?</p> <p id="p30" data-pid="30" data-rel-pid="[52]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="23"><sup>23</sup></span> Faith in God’s promise of a resurrection can strengthen us to do what is <span id="page54" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="54" data-before-text="54"></span>right even if that might mean death for us. That faith enables us to appreciate that the eternal life to be enjoyed upon our being raised from the dead is far more precious than a few years of life now. It safeguards us against jeopardizing our opportunities to gain that everlasting life. That is what faith did for men of ancient times; of them the Bible book of Hebrews reports: “[They] were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom [some compromise of what is right], in order that they might attain a better resurrection.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/28/0" data-bid="29-1" class="b">Heb. 11:35</a>.</p> <p id="p53" data-pid="53" class="qu">24. What did faith enable Jesus Christ to endure?</p> <p id="p31" data-pid="31" data-rel-pid="[53]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="24"><sup>24</sup></span> It was unshakable faith in Jehovah’s ability to resurrect and reward him that also enabled Jesus Christ to maintain perfect integrity. Think of what he endured. He was reviled, slapped, hit with fists, spit upon, scourged and, finally, nailed to a stake, to die like the worst kind of criminal. Yet never did Jesus Christ waver. He did not lose sight of the reward. What a faith-strengthening example he set for us! As <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1975045/29/0" data-bid="30-1" class="b">Hebrews 12:2, 3</a> puts it: “For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such contrary talk by sinners against their own interests, that you may not get tired and give out in your souls.”</p> <p id="p54" data-pid="54" class="qu">25. What benefits come from living in harmony with the truth that this life is not all there is?</p> <p id="p32" data-pid="32" data-rel-pid="[54]" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="25"><sup>25</sup></span> Indeed, this life is not all there is. Living in harmony with that fact results in our avoiding the vain, empty life of materialistic people. Not even the possibility of death can dim our joy in living now and cause us to view the future with despair and uncertainty. Thanks be to God for making it possible for sincere truth seekers to have a solid hope and a firm faith!</p> <p id="p55" data-pid="55" class="se"><strong>[Picture on page 50]</strong></p> <p id="p56" data-pid="56" class="sc">Asaph’s envy of the prosperity of the wicked ones robbed him of joy—until he realized that only a good relationship with God leads to permanent blessings</p> <p id="p57" data-pid="57" class="sb"></p> <!-- Root element of lightbox --> <div class="pswp" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="pswp__bg"></div> <div class="pswp__scroll-wrap"> <!-- Container that holds slides. --> <div class="pswp__container"> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> </div> <div class="pswp__ui pswp__ui--hidden"> <div class="pswp__top-bar"> <div class="pswp__counter"></div> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--close" title="Close (Esc)"></button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--fs" title="Toggle fullscreen"></button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--zoom" title="Zoom in/out"></button> <div class="pswp__preloader"> <div class="pswp__preloader__icn"> <div class="pswp__preloader__cut"> <div class="pswp__preloader__donut"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pswp__share-modal pswp__share-modal--hidden pswp__single-tap"> <div class="pswp__share-tooltip"></div> </div> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--arrow--left" title="Previous (arrow left)"> </button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--arrow--right" title="Next (arrow right)"> </button> <div class="pswp__caption"> <div class="pswp__caption__center"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="questionContainer"> <ul></ul> </div> <div id="galleryModalContainer" class="underlay full fadeOut"> <div id="galleryModal"> <div class="header"> <div class="loading hidden"><span class="icon"></span></div> <div class="galleryHeaderButtons"> <div class="galleryPlayCaption"> <div class="galleryBtn playPauseBtn hidden"><span class="icon"></span></div> </div> <div class="galleryBtn galleryClose"> <div class="closeBtn"><span class="icon"></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="contents"> <div class="gallery"> <div class="galleryWrapper"> <div class="navWrapper"> <div class="itemContainer"></div> </div> <div class="carouselContainer noTooltips"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterManyVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleChapter}:{StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleChapter}:{BibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterVerseRangeFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {StartingBibleChapter}:{StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleChapter}:{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationSingleChapterManyVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationSingleChapterSingleVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentNavigationMultiplePagesPositionFormat" value="w75 1/15 p. {StartingPageNumber}-{EndingPageNumber}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentNavigationSinglePagePositionFormat" value="w75 1/15 p. {PageNumber}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentDescription" value="w75 1/15"/> <input type="hidden" id="englishSym" value="w"/> <input type="hidden" id="pubMediaServer" value="https://b.jw-cdn.org/apis/pub-media/GETPUBMEDIALINKS"/> <input type="hidden" id="audioPubSym" value="w"/> <input type="hidden" id="chapNo" value="-1"/> <input type="hidden" id="issue" value="19750115"/> <input type="hidden" id="docId" value="1975045"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentInBible" value=""/> <input type="hidden" id="hasRuby" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" id="isRuby" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" id="shareBaseUrl" value="https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1975045&srctype=wol&srcid=share"/> <input type="hidden" id="shareType" value="document"/> <input type="hidden" id="contentTitle" value="Safeguarded by Faith and Hope"/> <input type="hidden" id="parentTitle" value="The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1975"/> <input type="hidden" id="contentThumbnail" value="/img/document@3x.png"/> </article> </div></div> </div> <div id="regionFooter" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <input id="returnToLibrary" type="hidden" value="Return to {LibraryName}" /> <div id="userStatus" class="hidden" data-library-color=""> <div class="ellipsized currentLibrary"> <a class="chrome librarySelectionLink spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label ellipsized showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr">English Publications (1950-2025)</span> </a> <div id="cookieLibrary"> </div> </div> <div class="currentUser ellipsized"> <a id="userStatusLabel" class="statusLabel" href="#"> <span class="userName ellipsized"></span> </a> <div id="userControls" class="userControls hidden"> <span id="headerLogout" class="hidden"> <a class="statusItem userLogoutLink" href="#">Log Out</a> </span> </div> </div> <div id="headerLogin" class="hidden"> <a class="statusButton userLoginLink" href="#">Log In</a> </div> </div> <div id="contentFooterNavigation" role="navigation" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul class="contentFooterIcons" role="menubar" class="chrome"> <li id="libraryTitle" class="chrome" role="menuitem" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a class="spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">English</span> </a> </li> <li id="contentFooterShare" role="menuitem" aria-label="share"> <a id="shareButtonFooter" class="shareButtonFooterIcon spriteLink hidden" href="#"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">Share</span> </a> </li> <li id="contentFooterPreferences" role="menuitem" aria-label="preferences"> <a class="spriteLink" href="/en/wol/pref/r1/lp-e?url=%2Fen%2Fwol%2Fd%2Fr1%2Flp-e%2F1975045" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">Preferences</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="contentFooterLegal" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul class="contentFooterList" role="menubar"> <li class="showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011511" target="_blank">Copyright</a> © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011511" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011512" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011512" id="privacySettingsButton" class="hidden" target="_blank">Privacy Settings</a> </li> <li id="jworg" role="menuitem" aria-label="jw.org"> <a id="jworgLogo" class="spriteLink" target="_blank" href="https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1011200"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">JW.ORG</span> </a> </li> <li id="footerLogin" class="clickable hidden"> <a class="statusButton userLoginLink" href="#">Log In</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="dialogContainer" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"></div> <div id="modalUnderlayContainer" class="underlay" tabindex="-1"></div> <div id="underlayContainer" class="underlay" touch-action="none"></div> <!-- share dialog --> <input type="hidden" id="mobileNativeShare" value=""/> <div class="jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="shareForm" class="hidden"> <div> <div class="header chrome"> Share <div class="closeBtn" aria-label="close" onclick="app.modal.removeModals();"> <span class="icon"></span> </div> </div> <form class="content"> <div class="shareFormWrapper"> <div> <img class="sharePublicationImage" /> </div> <div class="shareInfoContainer"> <div class="jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="shareContentParentTitle"></div> <div class="shareContentTitle"></div> </div> <input id="shareLink" class="shareLink" type="text" readonly dir="ltr" /> <button type="button" class="grayButton small shareCopyButton" aria-label="copy" onClick="app.utilities.copyToClipboard(document.getElementById('shareLink').value)"> <span class="icon"></span> </button> <div class="shareButtonContainer"> <button type="button" class="grayButton shareMailButton" onClick="app.share.sendEmail();"> <span class="icon"></span> Share Via Email </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <!-- end share dialog --> </div> <input type="hidden" id="newMeetingsPage" value="yes"/> <script src="https://b.jw-cdn.org/code/media-player/v3.0.0/js/media-player.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/+1+d47041617fdb857d64eb29a3250d908664adf0ef.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/+2+edbe50f2c1878ea0d9722929855a6978c567d22e.js"></script> </body> </html>