Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 7:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Isaiah 7:4

"And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah."

Isaiah is warning King Ahaz about political alliances. The firebrands refer to torches burned out. They really are no threat. But, what I pondered on in this verse is the action we are to take when we find ourselves under attack, take heed, be quiet, fear not, and be not fainthearted. It reminded me of counsel given in General Conference. Be quiet really stood out to me. Someone capable of being quiet can play the role of peacemaker, with the wisdom of what to say and what not too. Fire and brimstone does not call people back to the Lord. But, the ability to stand for what you believe in, with peace in your heart in the midst of trial is something that will drawn others to you. They will seek to know the source of your peace and desire to share that too. Don't be afraid to live your faith. Still if you stand alone, do not fear because the Lord is with you.

"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."

(Moroni 8:16)

"Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

(Doctrine and Covenants 122:9)

Day 2845

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 7:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 7:20-21

"And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.

And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,"

The big question I had is who is Artaxerxes and why was he so generous in helping the Jews rebuild their temple? The obvious answer is God gave him opportunities that softened his heart to do so.

Artaxerxes king of Persia is the son of Xerxes I and Amestris. Xerxes is identified as king Ahasuerus in the book of Esther. The same Esther that marries king Ahasuerus and becomes queen of Persia, and at great personal risk obtains the reversal of the kings decree to kill the Jews. What a ripple effect and doors that are opened by one woman showing such great courage. We never know what ripple effect we will have on others, for good or bad.

"...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

(Esther 4:14)

Day 2569

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: Esther 10:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 10:3
"For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."

This is the end of the book of Esther. The ending tribute is to Mordecai. I thought back on his words to Esther "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Could not the same be said of Mordecai? If not for his guidance is raising Esther, and his counsel he gave to her, she may have never fulfilled her role. Mordecai is such an example of courage and how he would not bow to Haman, even if the offense could mean his death. I'm sure Esther saw examples of Mordecia's courage while he raised her. Yes, Esther wouldn't have been an Esther if Mordecai was not there by her side. I don't think anyone ever rises to greatness on their own. We all have such an effect on each other. It is coordinated through the hands of God.


Day 1011

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 23:6
"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;"

I pondered on if I felt courageous for keeping the commandments. I simply don't. When I was younger and there was peer pressure it was harder, and probably took more courage to do what was right. I reflected on a time when it took all my courage to stand up for my beliefs, but I learned after doing what was needed it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I gained a lot from that experience which I have shared with others to give them strength. Today I don't feel it takes courage at all to do what is right. I guess because I really don't care what others think about me. Their opinions are only that, their opinions and they have no baring on me. Just like what they do has no baring on me. There must be a physical and spiritually maturity that has taken place. I am grateful for both happening at the same time.


Day 785

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

This verse made me think of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's April 2017 LDS Conference address "Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear". What a joy to sit and listen to this talk again. So many glorious scriptures references inside it. So many pieces fit. The pure love of Christ, faith, hope and charity casts out fear. I live in a time where peace has been taken from this earth and yet I have peace, and a joy that passes all understanding. Everyday as I sit and read my scriptures, the words of Christ come alive, and I am made alive in Christ. This brings peace to my soul. The fear that doubt, sin, and the adversary brings is dispersed, for it cannot reside where the light of Christ reigns. My strength is in Christ, how can I even say I have courage for it all comes from him.

While pondering the thought came to me if I have the spirit to always be with me, then Christ will be with me too. That is how "the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." I had never thought of it that way before.


Day 763

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 31:6, 8
"Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Rejoice! It is all I could think of as I read these two verses. What courage it gives me to know the Lord is before me, in all that I do in his name. In His name is my strength. I felt impressed to just sit and listen to hymns sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The first that I had to find was "Rejoice, the Lord is King!". What a feast! I truly rejoiced in my Lord this day. Jesus Christ, is my Savior, Lord and King. He does not fail me. May I never fail him.

As I continued to feast on all these hymns I found a true treasure. "If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not".  I thought how fitting this would be for someone in the midst of trial or grief, to know Jesus will never forsake them. His arm is ever around them. Then it occurred to me I was listening to this on the 18th anniversary of my mother's death. How different I feel today then the day she slipped into the eternities. What a tender mercy of the Lord that he allowed her to be with me in the temple this morning. I had a taste of the joyous greeting to come. The words of this song brought tears of joy in remembering this day. It filled my soul with such a sweet spirit of peace, and strength. I wept in gratitude, for the Lord knows how to strengthen me, even when I'm not weary or afraid.


"If the Way Be Full of Trial, Weary Not"

If the way be full of trial, weary not;
If it’s one of sore denial, weary not;
If it now be one of weeping,
There will come a joyous greeting,
When the harvest we are reaping, weary not.
Chorus:
Do not weary by the way,
Whatever be thy lot;
There awaits a brighter day,
To all, to all who weary not.

If the way be one of sorrow, weary not;
Happiness will be the morrow, weary not.
Here we suffer tribulation;
Here we must endure temptation;
But there’ll come a great salvation. Weary not.
Chorus:
Oh, Do not weary by the way,
Whatever be thy lot;
There awaits a brighter day,
To all, to all who weary not.

If misfortunes overtake us, weary not;
Jesus never will forsake us, weary not.
He will leave us never, never;
From his love there’s naught can sever;
Glory to the Lamb forever, weary not.
Chorus:
Do not weary by the way,
Whatever be thy lot;
There awaits a brighter day,
To all, to all who weary not.

Day 759

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 20:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 20:3
"And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;"

I pondered on how it's not just a battle, as in a war, this is speaking of. During family scripture reading we happened to be talking about hard things each of us were facing or dealing with. How they required courage to do the Lord's will, and as the spirit was directing. The hardest thing is the desire to not offend another, especially now that people are so quick to be offended. We had talked about how the desire to help others in the long run needs to be our focus. With love for their best interest we can do hard things, and place the outcome in the Lord's hands. When we know we have done our best and as the Lord directs, it does bring the courage needed to face the tasks.

Day 748