Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday Night Thoughts
I was home-teaching yesterday and was reminded of a couple scriptures I really like.
The First
In 1 Nephi chapter 18 we read about how Nephi is tied up (again) by his brothers while on the boat crossing the sea. Unlike the previous time he was bound, he was not freed of his bondage and was tied up for 4 days. As we know eventually he was released, but I love what he says and does immediately after being released. He did not argue/fight with his brothers or even murmur. Instead he says this in verse 16:
I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.
What a great example he was! But considering the conditions he was under previous to this reaction, I am amazed at his faith. Not only was he tied up for four days, his brothers’ wickedness made those four days particularly miserable for him. The sea and storms became increasingly worse to the point where they thought they were going to die. These were not sailors. They probably had seasickness and could not hold any food down. Nephi being tied up probably couldn’t sleep well (if at all), go to the bathroom, etc. and as he said, his wrists and ankles were swollen “and great was the soreness thereof” (vs. 15). Have you ever sprayed salt water on a rope burn or other open sore?
In spite of all this, he praises God and refuses to murmur because of his afflictions. In fact, he mentions in verse 11 that “the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he hadspoken concerning the wicked.” So he attributes his sufferings to the Lord’s will, yet refuses to get bitter or angry at Him. What a man he was!
The Second
This is the story of the Jaredites as they were crossing the ocean (Ether chapter 6)—notice the words in bold.
5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.
10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.
11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.
For almost an entire year they were separated from their other friends and family (who were in the other barges) and trusted that the Lord would deliver them all together in the same place when it was all said and done. The entire time, the wind never stopped blowing and at times they were buried deep in the sea. Yet, like Nephi, they chose to praise the Lord and thank Him for His tender mercies. How many of us would thank the Lord for being stuck on a barge with no running water, sanitation, etc. for an entire year while being blown to and fro with a bunch of animals (with only your faith and hope that you will someday see your family and friends again)?
What reminded me of these scriptures?
This month’s Home Teaching message was about how Christ is the Master of Ocean and Earth and Skies! He is the master architect, the master planner, and the master physician. All things are in His hands. It is up to us to put our trust in Him and look for the good in whatever circumstances were are in. It is not always easy. I know that from first-hand experience, but I do know that all things are possible with Him by our side. With Easter just around the corner, I hope that we can all remember what great things He has done for us. He is our advocate with the Father. He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, and will soon reign upon the earth in paradisiacal glory!
The First
In 1 Nephi chapter 18 we read about how Nephi is tied up (again) by his brothers while on the boat crossing the sea. Unlike the previous time he was bound, he was not freed of his bondage and was tied up for 4 days. As we know eventually he was released, but I love what he says and does immediately after being released. He did not argue/fight with his brothers or even murmur. Instead he says this in verse 16:
I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.
What a great example he was! But considering the conditions he was under previous to this reaction, I am amazed at his faith. Not only was he tied up for four days, his brothers’ wickedness made those four days particularly miserable for him. The sea and storms became increasingly worse to the point where they thought they were going to die. These were not sailors. They probably had seasickness and could not hold any food down. Nephi being tied up probably couldn’t sleep well (if at all), go to the bathroom, etc. and as he said, his wrists and ankles were swollen “and great was the soreness thereof” (vs. 15). Have you ever sprayed salt water on a rope burn or other open sore?
In spite of all this, he praises God and refuses to murmur because of his afflictions. In fact, he mentions in verse 11 that “the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had
The Second
This is the story of the Jaredites as they were crossing the ocean (Ether chapter 6)—notice the words in bold.
5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.
10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.
11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.
For almost an entire year they were separated from their other friends and family (who were in the other barges) and trusted that the Lord would deliver them all together in the same place when it was all said and done. The entire time, the wind never stopped blowing and at times they were buried deep in the sea. Yet, like Nephi, they chose to praise the Lord and thank Him for His tender mercies. How many of us would thank the Lord for being stuck on a barge with no running water, sanitation, etc. for an entire year while being blown to and fro with a bunch of animals (with only your faith and hope that you will someday see your family and friends again)?
What reminded me of these scriptures?
This month’s Home Teaching message was about how Christ is the Master of Ocean and Earth and Skies! He is the master architect, the master planner, and the master physician. All things are in His hands. It is up to us to put our trust in Him and look for the good in whatever circumstances were are in. It is not always easy. I know that from first-hand experience, but I do know that all things are possible with Him by our side. With Easter just around the corner, I hope that we can all remember what great things He has done for us. He is our advocate with the Father. He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, and will soon reign upon the earth in paradisiacal glory!
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