Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read about how the people began to disbelieve and wickedness and abominations increased.  It's hard to understand how quickly people can forget the things of the Lord and be lead into wickedness!  3 Nephi 2:1-3 "And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen— Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing. And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land."

In the Old Testament I read that David sinned in insisting that his people be numbered.  I remember reading this years ago and wondering why it was such a sin to take a census of the people.  But I think the answer lies in the fact that by numbering the people, David was not trusting in the Lord to take care of him.  He was seeking security in finding out how many thousands of soldiers he had to fight his battles.  But what does it matter how many warriors you have as long as you have the Lord on your side to fight your battles?  The Lord and very few men are far better than thousands of men without the Lord's help.  By numbering the people, David was showing a lack of faith that the Lord would take care of him.  2 Samuel 24:2-4, 9-10 "For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.  And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?  Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

A verse with a thought booklet tells us that we can receive grace and peace through our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1:2 "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,"