And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ......2 Nephi 25:26

In the Old Testament I read that the Lord would go before the Israelites to fight for them in their battles to save them, so they had no need to fear, even though their enemies might be greater in number and have mighty horses and chariots. If the Lord is on our side, it doesn't matter who fights against us--the Lord is mightier than them all. Deut. 20: 1-4 "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people. 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; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."

In the Book of Mormon I read that the words of Isaiah are difficult for many people to understand. Boy, I've found that to be true! However, Nephi says that the words of Isaiah are plain unto those who are filled with the spirit of prophecy. So if we find Isaiah hard to understand, we need to pray to the Lord for understanding. 2 Ne. 25: 1, 4 "Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of the conversion of Saul, who later became Paul the apostle. He went from someone who persecuted Christians and tried to destroy the church to a great preacher of the Gospel, convincing people that Jesus was the very Christ. What a wonderful story of a transformed life! Acts 9: 1-22 "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing cno man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." The thought that went with this, written by Donna H. Eliason from San Jose, California, says: Anne our seven year old granddaughter, painted a background with various shades of blue. Next she started to paint a girl, but the brush dripped black splashes, so she threw it away and started another picture. "Wait, Anne," her grandfather cautioned. "Artists can make their mistakes into something beautiful." He helped her transform the black splashes into a beautiful landscape with a little girl sitting under a tree. Not only was she delighted with her painting; she also learned a valuable lesson. God, too, has a wonderful way of taking a messed up life and transforming it into something beautiful. What we may consider hopeless and ruined, God can mold into a valuable masterpiece. We have the choice of either keeping the status quo or giving God the opportunity to guide and shape our present and future. Our God is the God of second chances and new opportunities.