Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Thessalonians 3:13 "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."
Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave some good advise on how to not weary in well doing. As much as we can tell ourselves to not weary, there are actual things we can do to prevent it. I have had times where to assist others I needed to pray for strength greater than mine own to accomplish it. Those prayers have been answered, but that is only for short bursts. It's the long sustained acts of service that we need to be realistic about ourselves and what those limitations are.
"The urgings for us not to weary in well-doing contain prescriptions to avoid such weariness. We are to work steadily, but realistically, and only expect to reap “in due season.” We are to serve while being “meek and lowly” avoiding thereby the wearying burdens of self-pity and hypocrisy. We are to pray always so that we will not faint, so that our performance will actually be for the welfare of our souls, which is so much more than just going through the motions." (Neal A. Maxwell, "Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds", Apr 1991 General Conference)
I ponder on times of being depressed, sad and weary and how turning to the Lord the burden was lifted. It did indeed "lift up my soul". All I had to do is ask.
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.
