Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read some verses that are often quoted. Joshua is admonishing the people to serve God in sincerity and truth and put away other gods. He then told them they would need to choose whom they would serve--the gods of the nations in whose land they dwell, or the true and living God of their fathers. But as for Joshua and his family, he will serve the Lord. Can we say the same things? When faced with the choice of following the commandments of the Lord or following the ways of the world, what will our choice be? Josh. 24: 14-15 "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Yesterday we read in the Book of Mormon about how the Lord strenghtened the people so they could bear their burdens with ease. Today we read that because of the faith a patience of the people, the Lord delivered the people from bondage by causing the Lamanites to fall into a profound sleep, allowing the Nephites to escape. The people were very grateful to God for this wonderful miracle, realizing that it was only by the power of God that they could gain their freedom. Their hearts were lifted up in praise to Him. When God hears and answers our prayers, do we remember to thank Him? Mosiah 24: 16-22 "And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage. And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage. Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering their flocks together. And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep. And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness. Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens , and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God. And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God."

Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we show our love for God by keeping His commandments. John 14: 15, 21 "If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."


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