Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 38:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 38:11

"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength."

I love Shiblon. I wish we knew more about his story. For Alma uses powerful words to describe how he sees him: trust, joy, steadiness, faithfulness, kept the commandments, diligence, patience, long-suffering, knows the Lord was with him and delivered him, teacher of the word, wisdom, and much strength.

This statement just speaks volumes.

"I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and faithfulness unto God."

(Alma 38:2)

So, I looked for the most important counsel that Alma could leave this most devoted and loved son. What I saw was the tool that the adversary uses the most to destroy the faithful, and that is pride. That is the one thing that can crack the armor of God, for it comes from within. The adversary will tempt by making you feel you should take credit for what the Lord has done. He will have you feed upon the praise of others, thinking you deserved it. I wonder if more isn't said about Shiblon because he didn't want the praise? Interestingly enough Shiblon could have done so, because he had possession of the records for a short time (see Alma 63:1-2, 11-13). We can see he remained faithful until the very end. 

"And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother." (Alma 63:2)

Yes, I think Alma gave the very best counsel to his son, to beware of pride. Not that he had it, but that he was not to even touch it. It is a tool of the adversary that is used against all of us.

Day 1896