"I Know That He Loveth His Children"
My heart is full this week. There is no way that I will be able to do my heart justice. Life can be hard and stressful, but I have been and am tremendously blessed. There are so many reasons that I could never count and today I would like to share the biggest one, but it may take a moment because today I would like to share two things. The scriptures are truly amazing. I never cease to be amazed at how God answers our prayers and questions in ways that we would never expect, but the answers are always so perfect in such a personal and meaningful way.
This week I was again reading in Nephi and was impressed by Nephi's faith and wisdom. In 1 Nephi 4, Nephi attempts to get the plates from Laban for the third time. They have already been rejected twice, have had their family inheritance stolen and their lives seriously threatened, yet Nephi remains stalwart. The fact that Nephi is going back to get the plates for the third time speaks volumes, but that isn't even what impressed me this time. I have noticed verse 6 before, but I have begun to understand how this becomes a pattern for Nephi's life and really, what should be all of our lives. Nephi explains how he went to get the plates for the third time as this, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."
Nephi went forth following the Spirit, with no idea what he was going to (which God undoubtedly knows probably plays to his favor in this case), but he trusted in God. He had no idea what to do, he just knew that God had commanded them to retrieve the plates. He had even sworn in 1 Nephi 3:15 "as the Lord liveth, and as I live" that he would not return to his father without the plates. He knew that the Lord would provide a way. In our lives, we often know what we are supposed to do. We have promptings or commandments, that we know we must do, but we have no idea how to make them happen. These scenarios can often lead us to doubt God with thoughts of "I have no idea how this will even work" or "it's not reasonable to even try because it's impossible." We would do well to follow Nephi's example and rely on God, He has done much greater things than the miracles that we often need. He is often just waiting for us to take the first few steps into the dark before he reveals the light.
Later, in chapter 11, Nephi is shown many things in a vision. The Spirit asks him if he knows the condescension of God. Nephi responds in verse 17 saying "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I feel as though Nephi might have stated the greatest truth that there is in one simple verse. There is so much truth in the world and so many things that we can and in some cases even should learn, but there is only one truth that makes possible the purpose of why we are here and why mankind exists, God loves His children. As the famed scripture in John reads "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
It is not wrong to have questions and to wonder about things, it was a burning question that led a boy to kneel in a grove behind his home and that began the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel. However, there is one condition, we must remain ever grounded in our knowledge of the Savior and the truthfulness of the Gospel. I was touched this week by Nephi's description later in this chapter of the Savior's life as he saw Him in his vision. They read...
31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.
32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.
33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.
I know that the Savior rose from the dead and that He lives even now. He loves us, God loves us. The Supreme Being who created worlds without number, cares about us and our own personal lives. Go to Him and trust Him. The scriptures are powerful. Ask questions, learn, be curious, but always remember why we are here and what really matters, stay grounded in that truth. May we be ever aware of and take advantage of the Savior's grace, which He paid for with His life. Let us live in Him.
This week I was again reading in Nephi and was impressed by Nephi's faith and wisdom. In 1 Nephi 4, Nephi attempts to get the plates from Laban for the third time. They have already been rejected twice, have had their family inheritance stolen and their lives seriously threatened, yet Nephi remains stalwart. The fact that Nephi is going back to get the plates for the third time speaks volumes, but that isn't even what impressed me this time. I have noticed verse 6 before, but I have begun to understand how this becomes a pattern for Nephi's life and really, what should be all of our lives. Nephi explains how he went to get the plates for the third time as this, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."
Nephi went forth following the Spirit, with no idea what he was going to (which God undoubtedly knows probably plays to his favor in this case), but he trusted in God. He had no idea what to do, he just knew that God had commanded them to retrieve the plates. He had even sworn in 1 Nephi 3:15 "as the Lord liveth, and as I live" that he would not return to his father without the plates. He knew that the Lord would provide a way. In our lives, we often know what we are supposed to do. We have promptings or commandments, that we know we must do, but we have no idea how to make them happen. These scenarios can often lead us to doubt God with thoughts of "I have no idea how this will even work" or "it's not reasonable to even try because it's impossible." We would do well to follow Nephi's example and rely on God, He has done much greater things than the miracles that we often need. He is often just waiting for us to take the first few steps into the dark before he reveals the light.
Later, in chapter 11, Nephi is shown many things in a vision. The Spirit asks him if he knows the condescension of God. Nephi responds in verse 17 saying "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I feel as though Nephi might have stated the greatest truth that there is in one simple verse. There is so much truth in the world and so many things that we can and in some cases even should learn, but there is only one truth that makes possible the purpose of why we are here and why mankind exists, God loves His children. As the famed scripture in John reads "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).It is not wrong to have questions and to wonder about things, it was a burning question that led a boy to kneel in a grove behind his home and that began the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel. However, there is one condition, we must remain ever grounded in our knowledge of the Savior and the truthfulness of the Gospel. I was touched this week by Nephi's description later in this chapter of the Savior's life as he saw Him in his vision. They read...
31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.
32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.
33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.
I know that the Savior rose from the dead and that He lives even now. He loves us, God loves us. The Supreme Being who created worlds without number, cares about us and our own personal lives. Go to Him and trust Him. The scriptures are powerful. Ask questions, learn, be curious, but always remember why we are here and what really matters, stay grounded in that truth. May we be ever aware of and take advantage of the Savior's grace, which He paid for with His life. Let us live in Him.
Spence and I were just talking last night about persistence in doing what the Lord commands--or at least to have the faith to (continually) ask for what we need. As he was preparing to substitute in Seminary this morning, he was studying Matthew 15 with the woman of Canaan. First she seeks the lord's mercy, then she worships him, and persists in asking for the crumbs like a dog--and her faith is rewarded by the Savior. How many times have we stopped asking and not persisted in faith? Perhaps we fear we are too much like Martin Harris and the repetitive asking to see those pages. But, if we know our desires are good and right, we should not fear asking in faith.
ReplyDeleteLove the weekly posts! Keep up the good work!