Treasures From God’s Word — Week of June 29-July 5, 2026

Subject: How to compete in a horse race.

Imagine you’re taking part in a race. There are other runners around him and, although the pace is demanding, he manages to keep moving forward. But suddenly they tell him that, from now on, he will have to compete against horses. Clearly, going forward would need much more resistance, strength and preparation.

Jehovah used a similar comparison to help the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was already facing difficult situations, but Jehovah knew that in the future he would have to face even greater evidence. He did not tell him these words to discourage him, but to strengthen and prepare him.

We are very much helped by these ideas, too. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we know we will face opposition. Moreover, the tests we overcome now can prepare us to with faith resist more intense difficulties in the future. And an essential part of that preparation is to cultivate sincere love for our brothers.

First, let us see that, like Jeremiah, the Jehovah’s Witnesses will face opposition.

Jeremiah 11:21

Therefore this is what Jehovah saith against the men of Anathoth, who want to take away the life, and say, Do not prophesy in the name of Jehovah or die at our hands.

These words show that Jeremiah did not receive simply criticism or unpleasant comments. Some Anatot men wanted to take his life. They gave him a clear threat: do not prophesy in the name of Jehovah. They wanted to silence him. They wanted me to stop talking about the message that Jehovah had entrusted to him.

Let’s think about how hard it must have been for Jeremiah. Anatot was his hometown. It was a place where he should have found support, but right there were people who turned against him. Even so, Jeremiah did not stop serving Jehovah or let fear paralyze him.

Jehovah’s Witnesses know that we will also face opposition by preaching the good news of the Kingdom with zeal. In some places, our brothers are persecuted, imprisoned or pressured to stop talking about Jehovah. Elsewhere, the opposition may be less intense, but that’s not why it’s hard.

Maybe a relative will try to discourage us. Maybe a co-worker will mock our beliefs. A young man may be under pressure in high school for not participating in something that goes against biblical principles. Or maybe someone will charge us of being too insistent when we talk about the Bible.

The enemies of the truth have accused Jehovah’s Witnesses of practicing relentless – relentless proselytism. But the faithful servants of Jehovah have already received similar criticism in the past. Jeremiah was persecuted for speaking in the name of Jehovah. He also suffered mockery, rejection and opposition. However, he went ahead.

The disciple James said that we should take as a model of suffering evil and to exercise patience to the prophets who spoke in the name of Jehovah. He also said that we consider those who have endured happy. So, when we suffer opposition to do the right thing, we shouldn’t think something strange is happening to us. Rather, let us remember that we are following in the footsteps of faithful servants of Jehovah who put their loyalty to God above their comfort.

Jeremiah was not a person without fear. He felt distress and needed the support of Jehovah. But he didn’t allow fear to decide for him. That’s the same we can do. We don’t have to respond harshly or get into discussions. But we shouldn’t be ashamed of being Jehovah’s Witness or explaining with respect why we do what we do.

The opposition we face can now strengthen much-needed qualities: courage, patience, endure and confidence in Jehovah. And that brings us to the second point.

In the future very difficult tests await us, and to deal with them will be like to run in a race against horses.

Jeremiah 12:5

If you get tired running with ordinary men, how are you gonna compete in a horse race? You may feel safe in a land where there is peace, but how will you go among the dense scrubs of the Jordan?

What a graphic comparison. If a person already gets tired running alongside other men, how can he compete against horses? Following the passage of a horse requires much more resistance, strength and determination.

Jeremiah was facing serious problems. There was opposition, threats and people who wanted to silence him. However, Jehovah helped him understand that it was not time to loosen the pace. The evidence in front of him should not be given up, but prepare him for what would come next.

This week’s information explains that we all have problems that test our faith. Solving them can be like running with ordinary men. Perhaps we are struggling with health problems, economic concerns, family tensions, emotional fatigue, family opposition or personal disappointments. Sometimes a test can make us feel we can’t do anymore.

But Jehovah helps us see the current evidence from another perspective. They’re not nice, and we don’t have to minimize the pain they can cause. However, if we face them with faith, they can strengthen our spiritual resistance.

Every time we pray to Jehovah and continue to trust him, we are developing endurance. Every time we maintain a good spiritual routine even if we are tired, we are strengthening our faith. Every time we obey Jehovah even if it is difficult for us, we are training spiritually.

Why is it so important to do it now? Because, as the Apocalypse approaches, the obstacles will be even more difficult. To face them will be like competing in a race against horses. Clearly we will need a lot of upholstery and strength to hold firm.

Jehovah does not give us this warning so that we may live in fear. He gives it to us to help us get ready. A runner doesn’t wait until race day to train. He prepares in time. It strengthens your muscles, improves your endurance and learns not to give up when you are tired.

Similarly, now is the time to strengthen our spirituality. Meetings, personal study, prayer, preaching and the company of siblings are not mere activities. They are means that Jehovah gives us to prepare us.

We may ask ourselves: Am I taking advantage of the current evidence to bring me closer to Jehovah? Am I using prayer when I feel I can’t do it anymore? Am I protecting my spiritual routine, even when I have many concerns?

Every time we pass a test with the help of Jehovah, our trust in him becomes stronger. We learn from experience that Jehovah does not abandon us. And that confidence will be very valuable when we face tougher tests.

But to resist it won’t be enough to have individual strength. We will also need to be very close to our brothers. That is why the third point is so important: cultivating love for our brothers and sisters will now help us to face the difficulties during the Apocalypse.

Isaiah 26:20

Come on, my people, go into your inner rooms and close the doors behind you. Hide for a brief moment until the fury has passed.

These words convey an image of protection and security under Jehovah’s care. He knows how to protect his people. Although we do not know all the details of what awaits us, we do know that we will need to stay close to Jehovah and united to our brothers.

In times of pressure, we don’t want to isolate ourselves emotionally or allow small differences to separate us. On the contrary, we will need to collaborate, show humility, obey the instructions we receive and show sincere love for each other.

The congregations are made up of brothers and sisters of very different backgrounds, ages, cultures and personalities. Some are very talker; others are more reserved. Some are very organized; others are more spontaneous. With some we may connect right away, while with others it can cost us more.

The information mentions the case of a sister named Vanessa, from New Zealand. She had a hard time getting along with some brothers in her congregation because certain personalities irritated her. I could have decided to avoid those siblings or focus solely on things they didn’t like about them.

But he did something very wise. Instead of taking them away, he decided to spend more time with them. What was the result? He discovered qualities that Jehovah saw in those people. Later, as her husband was appointed circuit superintendent, they met many more brothers, each with a different personality. She came to understand that variety can be very nice and that Jehovah also appreciates that diversity, because he himself attracts very different people to his people.

That’s a good lesson. Sometimes, the solution is not to get away from a brother who we find hard to understand. Maybe we need to know him better. There may be a generous heart behind a direct personality. Maybe someone who seems distant is very loyal or is going through a test we don’t know. If we make the effort to get closer, we can discover qualities we haven’t seen before.

The key is to see our brothers as Jehovah sees them. Jehovah doesn’t just look at imperfections or a way of being that may not fit ours. He sees the heart, the faith, the effort and the sincere desire to serve Him.

This will be very important in the future. During moments of pressure, we will not need to compete or insist on our preferences. We will need patience, humility and love. It will be much easier to collaborate with brothers of different personalities if we learn to value them now.

We can ask ourselves: Is there a brother or sister I find hard to understand? Could you know him better? Could you think about your good qualities? Could you do something practical to show you love? Sometimes, a sincere conversation, an invitation, a word of encouragement or practical help can greatly strengthen a friendship.

Love between brothers is not just a pleasant thing; it is spiritual protection. When we really love each other, we support each other when someone is weak, we cheer when there is discouragement and help ourselves keep our sights fixed on Jehovah.

So how can we prepare to compete in a horse race? Not trusting our own forces. We are now preparing to face with faith the current trials, strengthening our relationship with Jehovah and cultivating sincere love for our brothers and sisters.

The opposition Jeremiah suffered did not stop him. The evidence he faced prepared him to remain faithful. We can learn from his example too. When we face opposition, let us remember that we are not the first servants of Jehovah who suffer for speaking of him. When we have problems, let us remember that they can strengthen our resistance. And when it costs us to get along with someone, let’s remember that the love we cultivate today can help us a lot tomorrow.

With the help of Jehovah, we will not loosen the pass. We will continue to advance with endurance, united with our brothers and fully convinced that Jehovah will give us the necessary strength to resist.