Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 25:9

"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

I could just imagine seeing the Lord at his second coming and saying this, "We have waited for him". It's part of that never give up, always striving to be what He wants me to be. Looking towards Christ and believing. When faith is not faith anymore but pure knowledge of who He is.

Day 2863

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 24:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 24:5

"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant."

I pondered on how this is not only talking about the apostasy of Israel, and the early Christian Church, but also about individual apostasy. It made me think of those in the restored church of Jesus Christ today that wish to have laws and ordinances, and even the everlasting covenant changed to fit their agendas. Apostasy will always be an issue until the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is why in general conference there has been so much emphasis on us keeping our covenants. It reminds me of a thought I had the other day while reading Moroni 8. Mormon was instructing his son Moroni regarding the false doctrine that had crept into the church on the need for infant baptism.

"For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.

Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy."

(Moroni 8:15-16, 19)

It made me think of how false doctrine had crept into the church of God at the end of the Nephite civilization. This caused them to be ripe for destruction. The perversion of doctrine maybe different today, but the concept is the same. We are ripening for destruction when we desire to changed God's law to fit our will.

Day 2862

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 23:18

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 23:18

"And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing."

I'm reading that Tyre would sing as a harlot and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world. Then all of a sudden its goods are used as holiness to the Lord. I turned to the Institute manual to understand what happened better.

Like Babylon, Tyre represented the world and so eventually would come under the judgments of God. Like Babylon, she was seen as a harlot committing fornication (joining in wickedness) with the kingdoms of the world (see Isaiah 23:15, 17–18; compare Revelation 17:1–2). The seventy years may refer to her coming judgments. Isaiah 23:18 shows that eventually the merchandise of Tyre (the world) will be put to proper use in building the kingdom of Jehovah.

(Old Testament Student Manual, "A Voice of Warning to the Wicked" (Isaiah 13-23)

Day 2861

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 22:13

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 22:13

"And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die."

It made me curious on how many times in the scriptures the phrase "eat, drink and be merry, and tomorrow we die" is found. I could only find three additional references. I thought there were more, besides Shakespeare's use of it. Maybe I thought there was more because that is the mentality we are seeing around us. Truly, if I thought tomorrow I would die, I would make sure I was prepared to meet my maker.

"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die."

(1 Corinthians 15:32)

"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun."

(Ecclesiastes 8:15) (*earlier verses show this is vanity)

"And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?'

(Luke 12:19-20)

"Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God."

(2 Nephi 28:7-8

Day 2860

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 21:6, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 21:6, 11

"For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?"

This made me think of the watchman on the tower. That can see into the darkness that surrounds us and sound the warning voice of what is a ahead. The watchman on the tower is the prophet of God.

"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me."

(Ezekiel 33:7)

"Although we admire all of these noble qualities, why do we follow President Nelson? Why do we follow the prophet? Because the Lord Jesus Christ has called him and designated him as His watchman on the tower.

Carcassonne is a remarkable walled city in France that has stood since medieval times. Tall towers surge upward from its protected walls, built for watchmen who stood on those towers day and night, keeping their attention riveted in the distance for the enemy. When the watchman saw an enemy approaching, his warning voice protected the people of Carcassonne from the impending danger they could not see.

A prophet is a watchman on the tower, protecting us from spiritual dangers we may not see.

The Lord said to Ezekiel, “I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word [from] my mouth, and warn them from me.”

We often speak of our need to follow the prophet, but consider this heavy burden the Lord places upon His prophet: “If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked … , [and] that wicked man … die in his iniquity; … his blood will I require at thine hand."

(Neil L. Andersen, "The Prophet of God", April 2018 General Conference)

Day 2859

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 20:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 20:2-3

"At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;"

I wondered if God really wanted a prophet to walk naked? I looked at the footnote for naked and it says, "IE without an upper garment, like a slave or exile." OK, so that was a symbol of slavery or bondage. Then the next verse makes sense because it refers to Egypt and Ethiopia. The verses continue to say they were prisoners and captives. I also found this in the Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi.

What Was Meant by Isaiah Walking “Naked and Barefoot”?

“With the great importance attached to the clothing in the East, where the feelings upon this point are peculiarly sensitive and modest, a person was looked upon as stripped and naked if he had only taken off his upper garment. What Isaiah was directed to do, therefore, was simply opposed to common custom, and not to moral decency. He was to lay aside the dress of a mourner and preacher of repentance, and to have nothing on but his tunic (cetoneth); and in this, as well as barefooted, he was to show himself in public.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 7:1:372.)

Day 2858

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 19:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 19:19

"In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD."

This made me think of a temple one day in Egypt. Then I thought of the first actual temple announced for the middle east. During the April 2020 General Conference President Nelson announced plans for the Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple. I know it's not in Egypt but it is a first for the area. Where there is a first more will come.

I looked on the map to see how close United Arab Emirates is to Egypt. Then I looked at the latest information for the announced temple on the churchofjesuschristtemples.org website. It is still in the planning and approval phase. It will be located in Dubai's District 2020. Specific site location unknown. It's in an area where Expo 2020 Dubai was held. The district was to begin the handover process to future occupants in late 2022. Maybe we will hear something soon? Elder Bednar last visited there in late Oct 2021.

This is what is says about the Temple Announcement.

"On April 5, 2020, at the 190th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced plans to construct the Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple—the first temple in the Middle East. Since the country's founding in 1971, it has exercised exemplary tolerance and religious tolerance. "The plan for a temple in Dubai comes in response to their gracious invitation, which we gratefully acknowledge," said President Nelson. The temple comes in answer to many prayers. It will serve the members of two stakes in the Gulf States and of smaller congregations located throughout a vast region including parts of the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, and Western Asia.

Elder David A. Bednar, who oversees Church affairs in the Middle East Africa North Area said: "We are grateful to the government officials of the United Arab Emirates who have welcomed us so warmly into their country." Commenting on the singularity of the announcement, he added: "Only the Spirit of the Lord could have brought about such a mighty miracle. The presence of a temple in Dubai will be a great blessing in the lives of our Church members."

(Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "Dubai United Arab Emirates Temple")

Day 2857

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 18:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 18:3

"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye."

Tonight I was reading in Joseph Smith-History about Moroni's visit to Joseph Smith this verse stood out to me.

"He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here."

(Joseph Smith - History 1:41)

It struck me how on September 21, 1823 the fullness of the Gentiles was soon to begin. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and temples dotting the earth today has lifted up an ensign to the nations. This year will be the 200th anniversary of this event. It's only been since President Nelson has been prophet that I understand that the restoration is an ongoing process and not completed. It makes me wonder what more is to come, and what will I live to see? One thing is for sure I will do my best to #HearHim.

Day 2856

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 17:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 17:6

"Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel."

gleaning grapes = IE only a small remnant of Israel will be found after Assyria's conquest. TG Israel, Remnant of.

I want to be a remnant of Israel, someone that is remaining after the world is shaken at the Lord's second coming. I thought about those gleaning grapes. The ones that are left in the top of the tree or on the outer branches. What does it say about them? I thought of the tree being the world, and those grapes being part of it, but not in it. In the world but not of the world. They kept their distance from the rest of the world that is easily shaken and fallen. They held on and grasped the word of God.

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

(John 15:19)

"And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."

(John 17:13-15)

Day 2855

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 16:14

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 16:14

"But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble."

If the Lord can warn the people of Moab of coming destruction in three years, through the prophet Isaiah, he would do it again before His second coming. This is why God has called prophets to be that warning voice. I had to go listen to the hymn "We Thank Thee, O God, for a prophet".

Day 2854

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 15:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 15:5

"My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction."

I was actually curious about this 3 year old heifer. The footnote says "IE Zoar should still have been young and vigorous".

"Isaiah recognized that Moab was a youthful, vibrant nation. “A three-year-old ox, is one that is still in all the freshness and fulness of its strength” In spite of Moab’s vigor and strength, Isaiah foretold that powerful forces from the north countries would destroy her only three years hence (see Isaiah 16:14). This prophecy was fulfilled with the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib"

(Old Testament Student Manual, "A Voice of Warning to the Wicked (Isaiah 13-23)", 14-19)

Day 2853

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 14:7, 32

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 14:7, 32

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."

trust in it = OR seek refuge in it.

I remember when Covid-19 was first spreading around the globe. This first verse came to mind and warmed my heart when I heard people in lock down singing. By the time in reached my area people were fighting each other. There was no singing only protests. What comes after in this chapter is where we are all headed. I love this last verse. It gives me hope that there will be a place of refuge as I trust in the Lord.

Day 2852

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 13:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 13:3

"I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness."

It's pretty much terrible to think of the destruction of Babylon at the Second Coming. As I'm reading this I kept think where would I be. Where are the people that love the Lord and worship him?

The footnotes says "sanctified ones" and "saints" are synonymously translated from either of two Hebrew words in the Old Testament." OK, so I'm going to take it that I'm one of the saints.

The footnote for "mighty" references Joel 3:11

"Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy might ones to come down, O LORD."

Ah, so come down from where? The verse before tells me where.

"Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles."

(Isaiah 13:2)

The saints are standing in holy places. Exactly where we are told to be right now. There has to be a place of refuge for those that want to flee Babylon before it is to late.

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."

(Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

Day 2851

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 12:1

"And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me."

As I read this I could picture the earth after the great and terrible day of the Lord, at His Second Coming. The destruction is done and the righteous that survive have passed through all that led up to this point. That is why we say "thou wast angry with me". Now all that is left is Him to comfort us and he does, and our joy is full. That will be the great millennial day.

Day 2850