Daily Thoughts

Yesterday we read about how the children of Israel were evil so the Lord was angry with them and their served Chushan-rishathaim for either years. Today we read that the children of Israel cried unto the Lord who raised up a deliverer for them. After this the land had rest for 40 years, but then the people just beccome wicked once again. This is a cycle that is repeated over and over again. The people are wicked so the Lord is angry and punishes them. Then they return to Him and He delivers them. But they don't stay richteous, and the cycle just repeats itself. Judges 3: 9-12 "And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord."

In the Book of Mormon I read that governing by the voice of the people can be a good thing because usually the majority of the people will want what is right and a lesser portion of the people will want something that is wrong. However, if the day ever comes when the majority of the people choose something that is contrary to that which is right, that is the time when the judgments of God will come upon them. Mosiah 29: 26-27 "Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we need to set our affections on things above (spiritual things pertaining to the Lord) rather than on things on the earth (money and possessions, etc.) What is really of most importance to us? We can see where our heart really is by our actions and how we spend our time. Are we too busy watching TV or playing on the computer to take time to pray and read our scriptures? Are we too busy with work and recreation to do a good job at our church callings? Some things to ponder. Col. 3: 2 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
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