Thursday, January 30
I am a sinful man.—Luke 5:8.
The apostle Peter’s shortcomings could easily have been omitted from the Bible record. However, they were included under inspiration as lessons for us. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Learning about this man who had weaknesses and feelings like ours can help us to see that Jehovah does not expect perfection from us. He wants us to persevere—to keep trying—despite our weaknesses. Why is it necessary for us to persevere? After we feel that we have overcome a certain weakness, we may suffer a setback. But we still keep working toward our goal. We all say or do things that we later regret; nonetheless, if we refuse to give up, Jehovah will help us to keep making progress. (1 Pet. 5:10) The compassion Jesus showed Peter despite his shortcomings can motivate us to continue serving Jehovah. w23.09 20-21 ¶2-3
Friday, January 31
Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.—John 11:21.
Jesus could have healed Lazarus, as Martha stated in today’s text. But Jesus has in mind doing something even more remarkable. He promises: “Your brother will rise.” He also says: “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:23, 25) Yes, he has God-given power over life and death. Earlier, he raised a young girl shortly after her death and he also raised a young man, apparently on the day the man died. (Luke 7:11-15; 8:49-55) But can he resurrect someone who has been dead for four days and whose body has begun to decay? Mary, Lazarus’ other sister, goes out to meet Jesus. She repeats what her sister said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32) Seeing and hearing Mary and others with her weeping, Jesus is deeply saddened. Moved by tender compassion for his friends, he gives way to tears. He understands how painful it is when a loved one dies. Surely, he is eager to remove the cause of their tears! w23.04 10-11 ¶12-13
Saturday, February 1
I will listen to you.—Jer. 29:12.
When King Hezekiah was extremely sick, he begged Jehovah to help him recover. In response, Jehovah healed him. (2 Ki. 20:1-6) On the other hand, when the apostle Paul pleaded with Jehovah to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” Jehovah did not remove the problem. (2 Cor. 12:7-9) The apostles James and Peter both faced death at the hands of King Herod. James was put to death, while Peter was miraculously rescued. (Acts 12:1-11) We may wonder, ‘Why did Jehovah save Peter but not James?’ The Bible does not say. What we can be sure of is that Jehovah’s ways are “never unjust.” (Deut. 32:4) At times, we may be faced with an outcome we did not expect. But because we trust that Jehovah’s answer to our prayers will always be loving and just, we do not question the way he chooses to answer us.—Job 33:13. w23.11 21 ¶6