Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how redemption comes through repentance and is made possible because Jesus atoned for the sins of the world.  The Atonement meets the demands of justice and is given because of the mercy of God.  God is both just and merciful. Alma 42:10-16, 24-26 "Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord. And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience; Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery."

In the Old Testament I read about how the sun and moon stood still while the Lord fought for Israel.  There was never a day like that before or after.  Joshua 10:13-14 "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet recall how Gideon spoke with an angel of the Lord, who told Gideon that the Lord was with him and called him a mighty man of valour.  Gideon asked how that could be and complained about how the Lord seemed to have forsaken Israel instead of providing the mighty miracles that had been spoken of by his fathers. The Lord told Gideon to go forth with his might and He would be with him and help him defeat the Midianites.  This should have been enough, but Gideon still doubted.  He complained that his family was poor and he was least in his father's house.  But the Lord again told Gideon that he had been called and needed to go forth.  How often are we like Gideon?  The Lord calls us to do a work but all we do is doubt our own abilities instead of relying on the Lord and trusting that He will provide the way for us to accomplish anything He asks us to do? Judges 6:12-16 "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
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