Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read how the king held out the golden scepter to Ester, thus sparing her life. He asked her what she wanted and she said she wanted to prepare a banquet for him and Haman. Esth. 5: 1-4 "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him."

In the D&C I read a declaration of belief regarding governments and laws. Governments should preserve freedom of conscience and worship and men should uphold their governments and show respect to the laws of the land. D&C 134: 1-5 "We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign. We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul. We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that God watches over us and never slumbers nor sleeps. The thought that went with this, written by Jerilyn Tyner from Arlington, Washington, says: One night long ago, instead of sleeping in my upstairs bedroom, I wanted to sleep on the couch in the living room. I had some childhood illness and wanted to be downstairs, closer to my dad. I just felt safer there. My dad took care of me whenever I was sick, patiently bringing drinks of water, rubbing my back or feet, or doing whatever else he could to help me get well. I remember looking across the living room and into the dining room where my dad sat at his desk, working. Even though I felt sick, before long I was sound asleep, secure in the knowledge that my father was close by, awake and watching over me. Oh, to have that childlike trust in my Heavenly Father today! Instead of tossing and turning, fretting through the night hours about things I can't control, I want to call to mind the image of that night and reach out in faith to the One who does not slumber nor sleep. God is always awake, watching over me. I am safe in Him. Ps. 121: 4 "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."



---------------------------------