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

In the Old Testament we're told of the many wonderful things that the Lord did for the children of Israel--bringing them out of Egypt with great signs and miracles, preserving their clothing for 40 years in the wilderness, giving them food to eat, helping them in battle. With all the things the Lord had done for them, all they needed to do was keep their covenant to obey the Lord and He would prosper them. Deut. 29: 2-9 "And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God. And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them: And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do."

In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord is merciful to all those who will not harden their hearts against Him. We need to repent with full purpose of heart and cleave unto the Lord while His arm of mercy is extended toward us. Jacob 6: 4-5 "And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us to be joyful and thankful unto the Lord, and serve Him with gladness. He doesn't always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need and what will be best for us in the eternal scheme of things. Sometimes we're like the child on Christmas morning--opening up a brightly wrapped present with excitement hoping for a fun toy to play with, but are disappointed to get a pair of socks instead. But we wear the socks and are feet are kept warm on many a day in the future. The socks are what we needed, but we didn't receive them with graditude because they weren't what we were hoping for. Let's not have that attitude when receiving gifts from God. Benjamin Franklin once said, "If a man had half his wishes, he would double his troubles." Let's be grateful for all the Lord gives us and trust in Him that He knows what's best for us. Ps. 100: 1-2 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."