Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read about how David fetched the ark of God. While it was being transported in a cart, the oxen stumbled and Uzza put forth his hand to steady the ark. He was not authorized to touch the ark and the anger of the Lord was kindled against him and he was struck dead. At first glance, this seems pretty harsh! After all, wasn't Uzza just trying to save the ark from falling? But this was the ark of God. If the ark really was in danger, couldn't the Lord save it? Sometimes people stretch forth their hands trying to "save" the work of God when they have no authority to do so. We need to trust the Lord to take care of His work in His own way and through His own authorized servants and not stretch forth our hands to fix things that are not within our jurisdiction. 1 Chr. 13: 6-10 "And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God."

In the D&C I read that Jesus' disciples were troubled when told about all the calamities that would come before His Second Coming. But He told them not to be troubled because these things needed to happen before His promises could be fulfilled. Some troubling times are ahead of us, but wonderful things are yet to come and we can look forward to them in faith. D&C 45: 34-35 "And now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my disciples, they were troubled. And I said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled."

A verse with a thought booklet talks about the importance of humility. If we humble ourselves, we'll be exalted, but if we exalt ourselves, we'll be abased. Much better to humble ourselves than to be forced into humility. Luke 14: 11 "For whosoeveraexalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

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