Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 32:7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 32:7

"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:"

This chapter for some reason reminded me of Ukraine and it being under siege by Russia, but I know I do not understand the full depth of how it applies. I found this talk given by Russell M. Nelson, before he was the prophet, that referenced this verse.

"Foster your faith. Fuse your focus with an eye single to the glory of God. “Be strong and courageous” and you will be given power and protection from on high. “For I will go before your face,” the Lord declared. “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” The great latter-day work of which we are a part shall be accomplished. Prophecies of the ages shall be fulfilled. “For with God all things are possible”  I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

(Russell M. Nelson, "With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible", April 1988 General Conference)

Day 2558

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 31:5-6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 31:5-6

"And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps."

As Hezekiah is returning Judah and the children of Israel to worshipping the Lord he restores the temple and the paying of tithes. I realized that while they were in a state of apostasy there was no paying of tithes. The same thing happens today. As people feel they don't need to pay tithes, or think they can donate better than the church, they slowly fall away and into a state of apostasy. No wonder being a full tithe payer is part of what is required in order to enter the house of the Lord.

Day 2557

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1-3, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 30:1-3, 20

"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."

I hadn't realized until now that passover was held a month late. It wasn't at the set time the Lord had commanded them. It was when they were clean and sanctified and ready as a people to hold it. This was acceptable to the Lord. It totally makes sense, it's not the ordinance, it's our cleanliness when we partake in the ordinance that matters. If you are not worthy to go to the temple now wait. If you are not worthy to partake of the sacrament then wait. Become clean and then partake, you will be blessed for it.

Day 2556

7th Anniversary of My Favorite Verse.

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 29:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 29:10-11
"Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense."

The Lord raised up men in a generation that would serve Him. It made me ponder on the youth reserved for our day. Some of the most righteous to help make ready for the Lord's second coming. At the same time on the earth we have some of the most wicked to try them. Heavenly Father knows his children and what combination of some of his children will do when together. We always have our free agency to choose what we will be, there isn't a set mold of you will be righteous and you will be wicked. Though any parent can tell you that if your have a certain combination of children together with their child they will either get into trouble or stay out of it.

Day 2555

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 28:1, 3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 28:1, 3, 5

"Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:

Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter."

Ahaz only reigned for 16 years. What put an end to his reign was crossing the line where innocent children were abused and killed. The wrath of God in kindled when the innocent have no one to protect them. I pray I never live to see the day when pedophilia and bestiality are sanctioned by the laws of the land. To me that will signal the wrath of God will soon be unleased.

Day 2554

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 27:6

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 27:6

"So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God."

Prepared his ways - HEB, ordered; i.e., maintained a steady course.

This past General Conference I felt preparedness as a theme. When you say preparedness it brings to mind food storage, and getting material things ready. This wasn't the part of being ready that I felt. It was the part of preparing a people ready to go through whatever is to come, with peace in their souls. This made me find some quotes from last general conference that stood out to me on being prepared.

"We have been promised that “if [we] are prepared [we] shall not fear.” This assurance has profound implications today. The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era."

(Russell M. Nelson, "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation", Oct 2021 General Conference)

"Her question for me was good: “What are the most important things I should know?” I answered with the things of my soul, the things that prepare me to hear promptings, that lift my sights beyond the ways of the world, that give purpose to my work in the gospel and to my very life.'

(Ronald A. Rasband, "The Things of My Soul", Oct 2021, General Conference)

Then I looked for this one on preparedness from a general conference a few years previously.

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"First, and crucial for the Lord’s return, is the presence on the earth of a people prepared to receive Him at His coming."

(D. Todd Christofferson, "Preparing for the Lord's Return", Apr 2019 General Conference)

Before Elder Christofferson said these words it was a conclusion I had come to on my own. They rang true to me. The world doesn't need to be any more wicked in order for the second coming of Jesus Christ to happen. What's holding up the show is a people ready to receive Him. Being spiritually prepared, able to feel the promptings of the spirit, listen to a prophets counsel and words, read and ponder the words of Christ, and trust Him in all things, is the how we "prepare [our] ways before the Lord".

Day 2553

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

"And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense."

Uzziah was the next king of Judah. He was doing great until he thought he was so great he could go into the temple and burn incense on the altar. Why was that such a grievous thing? Because he did not hold the priesthood. Burning incense was a duty of the priesthood and he did not have proper authority to do so. Only the priests that were the sons of Aaron were allowed to do this. Uzziah acted as if he had the priesthood when he did not. That was an offense to God. For it he was struck with leprosy and died a leper. Once becoming an leper he was cut off from the house of the Lord and could never enter it again.

This made me think of apostate groups that falsely claim they have special light and knowledge and a higher priesthood. Eventually, it takes them and their followers completely out of the church, along with any access to the temple or temple blessings.

Day 2552

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 25:14, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 25:14, 25

"Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?"

Amaziah follows the words of a prophet in order to win a battle. Then he turns around and takes the fallen's false gods and worships them. The words of the prophet to Amaziah are so inspired. Why would someone worship the gods of those that were destroyed by the hand of the Lord? Yet, there are people that do the same thing today without realizing it. The answer is in the second verse.

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart."

OR wholeheartedly. When we are not totally committed to the Lord we can go through the motions but cleave unto the false gods of man and not bat an eye. When you try to serve two masters the battle is already lost because the heart is not true.

Day 2551

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:2, 12, 17, 24

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 24:2, 12, 17, 24

"And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash."

Joash has such promise. When he listened to the high priest Jehoiada Judah prospered. Together they repaired the temple. Then when Jehoiada dies Joash listens to the princes of Judah instead of prophets that are sent to him. This leads to his total down fall. To the point he kills Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest. He is told "because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you." That is such a horrible position to be in. The Syrians with a very small army have Judah delivered into their hands. The Lord allowed them to execute judgment against Joash. Joash becomes diseased, his servants conspire against him, and eventually slay him in his own bed. He is so despised that they don't bury him in the sepulchers of the kings. If only Joash had listened to the prophets and not the flattery of men.

This reminds me of a discussion we had tonight during family scriptures. That we always have to be careful of who we are listening to, over time people that were once righteous can change and lead you astray. We have sadly seen this happen over the years. We have to be grounded in the gospel ourselves so no one can deceive us with false doctrine. The prophet and majority of the twelve are all that we are promised to not lead us astray. For them to do so they would be removed out of their place.

Day 2550

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 23:1, 3, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 23:1, 3, 16

"And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people."

The people of Judah enter into covenants with the Lord that they will be His people. They broke down the house of Baal, its altars and images and slew the priest of Baal. They also slew Athaliah with the sword. They were cleansing Judah for they would be a people that only worshipped the Lord. If only they can keep their covenants and remain God's chosen people. So many times this has failed because they had unrighteous kings that fall into idolatry and lead the people astray.

Day 2549

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 22:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 22:11-12

"But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land."

Joash (Jehoash) was preserved and began to reign when he was just seven years old. I pondered on how important it was for Jehoshabeath to save him. The preservation of just one child. Now if that one child could remain true to the Lord. I pondered on how important just to have an opportunity or chance to make things right again is. Over and over the Lord is giving the children of Israel a chance to repent and come back to Him.

Day 2548

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:7, 12, 14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 21:7, 12, 14-15

"Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.

And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day."

Being told that I would absolutely shake in my boots. Just because the Lord promised to not destroy the house of David doesn't mean you have a free pass to do whatever evil you want. In this case the Lord had no choice by to destroy Jehoram and the majority of his family. Only his son Jehoahaz survives. Will he learn from what he saw happen to his father? Everything Elijah prophesized was fulfilled and this has to be the worst summary on the esteem his people felt for him.

"Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings." (vs 20)

Day 2547

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 14-15

"And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s."

The children of Moab and the Ammonites come up against Jehoshaphat and Judah to battle. I observed how they let God prevail in their behalf. First, they gathered together in united prayer and fasting. In prayer Jehoshaphat brought to remembrance the promised blessings given to them. Then a prophet of God received revelation and instructed them. They are told not to fear, and trust God. They bowed down and worshipped God for the instructions and promises they had received. Then they follow the instructions on where to go and what to do. They put their trust in God to stand still and then began to sing and praise the Lord. Their enemies then slayed each other and none escaped.

This was a miracle and it made me think of this.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(President Russell M. Nelson. "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", April 2018 General Conference)

Day 2546

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 19:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Chronicles 19:6-7

"And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."

Jehoshaphat sets up judges in the land. The key points are the judgments they make are to represent the Lord. The Lord is no respecter of persons or accepts gifts and neither should they.

"For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:"

(Deuteronomy 10:17)

As I ponder on this I see that it's also a good measuring stick for judgments I need to make. Even though the scriptures say "Judge not, that ye be not judged." There are times we are called upon to make righteous judgments.

"And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit."

(Doctrine and Covenants 11:12)

"Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment."

(JST Matthew 7:1-2)

Day 2545