Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 12:8

"The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted."

I pondered on the purpose of bringing vile men and women to justice. When they are instead lifted up, praised and exalted, seeming to be above the law, the wickedness of the people increases. They become a cancer that pollutes the people. You cannot begin to reach the heart of the people, unless they come to see them for what they are, the vilest of men.

This made me go back to one of the first anti-Christ's mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Sherem flatters the people and has a following. Then he seeks out the prophet Jacob and contends with him. Sherem asks for a sign and the one God gives him is to smite him and he dies. On his death bed Sherem does confess to the people what he had done. But it was only through Sherem being removed that the people could recognize the power of God, repent and have peace restored to them again.

"And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.

Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had requested it of my Father who was in heaven; for he had heard my cry and answered my prayer.

And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man."

(Jacob 7:21-23)

Day 2649

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 11:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 11:4-5

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

I was drawn to the word "eyelids". What does that mean? I decided to see if the Joseph Smith Translation of the bible brought any clarity.

"For the LORD, when he shall come into his holy temple, sitting upon God’s throne in heaven, his eyes shall pierce the wicked.

Behold, his eyelids shall try the children of men, and he shall redeem the righteous; and they shall be tried. The LORD loveth the righteous; but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

(JST, Psalms 11:4-5)

That really didn't help, so I had to ponder what it means to see someone's eyelids watching you. If I sit with my eyes closed, unless I am sleeping, I am aware of where people are in the room. I can even see in my mind what they maybe doing. All mothers have a gift of seeing with eyes in the back of their head. You will know what kids are doing without even watching them.

So, I think it means God may appear at times to be sleeping and during those times it is a real test on what we think we can get away with. The righteous will continue to do good things, the wicked will continue on the path they are already on. As I pondered this it made me think of prayers that don't appear to be answered. We may think God isn't listening. Instead He just has his eyelids closed, to test us to see what we will do.

Day 2648

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 10:4

"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."

I pondered on not having God in all your thoughts. That is such a foreign concept to me, yet I can recall when it wasn't. What a filter it is in your life to have God in your thoughts. It keeps you out of a lot of trouble. I never feel alone. Having God in your thoughts brings peace and comfort as you walk through life. It's knowing things will work out not matter what that means.

Day 2647

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 9:9-10

"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."

This made me ponder on "enduring to the end". My favorite part of the doctrine of Christ. For this is how I come to know my Savior. I learn to turn to Him and seek refuge under His arm. He has always been there.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

(Matthew 7:7-8)

Day 2646

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 8:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 8:5

"For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour."

I pondered on how we don't always know our potential and who we really are. Looking back at my life I realize how little I thought of my potential when I was in high school. If I had applied myself I would have realized how smart I really was. It took going to college later in life to see that in myself. What I would have even lost today if I hadn't committed almost twelve years ago to read the scriptures every day. It was not an easy thing to do. After having been so sick I had lost the ability to read and comprehend. Listening to recordings of the scriptures and trying to read along helped heal my brain. Where would I be if I had just given up and thought I had no potential? What a journey and adventure this has been. I do not want to stand before the Father and look back at my life and wish I had applied myself a little better. I want to reach my full eternal potential.

Day 2645

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 7:15-16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 7:15-16

"He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate."

This is something I have seen. In a way it makes me feel bad for them because you know that's what's coming to them in the end. There is a peace just leaving the matter in the hands of the Lord to deal with. It keeps you clean from the sin of wishing revenge.

Day 2644

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 6:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 6:9

"The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer."

I thought about how prayers to God are always heard. They are always answered even if that answer is not now, wait, or no. I thought about how prayers would always be a yes, if we learned to ask by the spirit for that which is according to God's will. I know there have been times I have been stopped from asking for something, like the healing of a loved one, because that isn't God's will. When that happens the spirit tells you what to ask for instead.

One of my favorite Book of Mormon stories is Nephi, son of Helaman that is given the sealing power. One of the reasons this great power was given him was because God knew he would not ask for what was contrary to His will.

"And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."

(Helaman 10:5)

Day 2643

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 5:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 5:11

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

Shout = Heb sing

I thought about the Lord defending me. Which made me think about standing before Him clean, through the blood of his redeeming grace. That would be so much joy that I could only weep. It made me think of that song "I Could Only Imagine". I can see myself doing all of those things.

Day 2642

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 4:5

"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."

This reminded me of king Lamoni's father and giving up all his sins. We have to give them all up, even our favorite ones. That is the sacrifice we make in righteousness.

"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."

(Alma 22:18)

Lamoni's father was not dead but he was under the power of God and it overcame his natural frame. Just like what happened to his son Lamoni.

"Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God"

(Alma 19:6)

The people of Ammon were so converted to the gospel that they never strayed. They instilled great faith in the Lord to their children. They were a people greatly bless of the Lord, because they gave up all the sins and were fully converted to God.

Day 2641

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 3:3

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

At first when I read "the lifter up of mine head" I though of pride. I knew that couldn't be right. Then I pondered on what it meant. I could then picture David being so broken hearted and discouraged that his head hung down. With the Lord he was comforted and could hold up his head again.

Day 2640

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 2:1

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?"

Imagine = to form a mental image of (something not present)

Suppose, guess

To form a notion of with sufficient basis: Fancy

Plan, Scheme

Vain = having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements: Conceited.

Marked by futility or ineffectualness: Unsuccessful, useless

Having no real value: idle, worthless, vain pretensions

Foolish, silly

This reminded me of a discussion I had with my son today regarding gas lighting and sophistry being used to incite unfounded conspiracies, that subtly cover the vainness and pride of those that lead them. Even to the point their rage has turned to violence. Who would have ever thought those that call themselves Christians would fall into supporting such evil. As good and evil are turned upside down there is a real danger of this eventually spilling over and leading to the persecution of the saints. Tonight I found this quote.

"The heathen—the so-called Christian nations—will become mad with rage against the Latter-day Saints; and thus the world will go on until they are ripened for destruction. We can afford to be calm and patient and await God's deliverance; for we know that He is our friend; that He is on the side of the righteous; and that He will bring them off triumphant if they continue faithful, which may the Lord grant in the name of Jesus. Amen."

(Joseph F. Smith, "Character Accorded to the Savior" The Hatred of the World, Etc., Aug 19, 1883, JD 24:245)

Day 2639

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 1:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 1:1

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."

I pondered on how careful one must be now. This verse doesn't mean we don't associate with sinners and be friendly or kind to everyone. It means we don't embrace their anti-Christ behavior or teachings as our own. Anything that would take us further away from the Savior we must separate from and not partake in. I was cleaning out some of my YouTube subscriptions today, and sadly noticed how since I had first listened to some of these channels how far they had gone off the mark. False doctrine slips in so gradually. Then I wondered if it was me getting more sensitive or what? I remember going through my movie collection several years ago and purging some of my movies. The movie hadn't changed but I had.

Day 2638

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 42:12-13

"So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

He had also seven sons and three daughters."

The Lord blesses Job and he is given double what he had at the beginning.

"And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east."

(Job 1:2-3)

Why did he receive the same number of children then? It is because the first group of children were not completely lost. They had died and would be his in the next life. Then with all his children around him he would have double. Material wealth and belongings are only for this life. That is what he could not take with him. It is also simply the how and when the Lord granted him.

I cannot help but ponder on how the Lord allowed all these loses and trials to come upon Job, not only so He could reveal himself to him, but also that He could bless him even greater. It may have seen unfair at first, but it was a blessing in the end.

"If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate the unfairness for our gain. He will not just console us and restore what was lost; He will use the unfairness for our benefit. When it comes to how and when, we need to recognize and accept, as did Alma, that “it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case.”

"We can try to hold our questions about how and when for later and focus on developing faith in Jesus Christ, that He has both the power to make everything right and yearns to do so. For us to insist on knowing how or when is unproductive and, after all, myopic."

(Elder Dale G. Renlund, "Infuriating Unfairness", April 2021, General Conference)

Some of Job's unfairness is restored doubled in this life. The others he realizes the increase in the next.

Day 2637

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 41:1, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 41:1, 34

"Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride."

What is a leviathan?

"Any great sea or land monster, such as the crocodile, either as an actual creature (Job 41:1) or as symbolic of a nation (Ps. 74:14); a large serpent (Isa. 27:1)."

(Bible Dictionary)

In Psalm the leviathan has multiple heads.

"Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness."

(Psalm 74:14)

In Isaiah the Lord slays it.

"In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea."

(Isaiah 27:1)

"When Israel is restored, she “shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6). That fruit is the gospel of peace (see v. 5–6). At the same time the Lord “shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, … and he shall slay the dragon” (v. 1). Both dragon and serpent are scriptural terms for Satan, the common enemy of God and all mankind (see Revelation 12:9). Thus, leviathan probably includes not only Satan personally but all who serve him. In other words, what Isaiah saw is the necessary destruction of Babylon, or the world, before Zion can be fully established. Here again, as in chapter 26, Isaiah is so taken with the joy of that future day that he couches his words in a hymn of praise."

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, "Prophecies of the Dispensation of the fullness of Times", 15-7)

If the leviathan is not only Satan but also those that serve him, it makes sense why in Job we are told he is king over all the children of pride. Pride is the downfall and enemy of every man. Pride is the one tool that can be used against the righteous and crack the armor of God around them. For Satan will tell them they are so righteous and that will go to their head. This is probably why the Lord mentions the leviathan and pride to Job. As righteous as Job was he was capable of falling due to pride.

Day 2636