Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that David took gold and silver and brass from the nations he conquered and dedicated them to the Lord. Solomon was later able to use these materials to build the house of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 18: 7-11 "And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass. Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah; He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass. Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek."

In the D&C we're told that after much tribulation, come the blessings. We need to keep the commandments and endure, and our blessings will be so great that we can't even imagine them. D&C 58: 2-4 "For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to always give thanks unto the Lord for all things. Do we recognize where all our blessings come from? Are we appreciative of them? Are we thankful even for the trials in our lives which strenghten us and refine us? We need to give prayers of thanks at all times. Eph. 5: 20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"

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