Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that wise men receive the words of the Lord and obey them.  They build their house upon a solid rock which will stand firm against the storms of life.  But a foolish man who hears the sayings of the Lord but chooses to disobey, builds his house upon a sandy foundation which will fall when the storms come.  3 Nephi 14: 24-27 "Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand— And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

In the Old Testament we read about how horses and chariots surrounded the city and a servant came to tell Elisha about it, very concerned.  But Elisha knew that those who were with him were more than those who were against him and he opened the eyes of the servant to see the mountains full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha protecting him.  When we have the Lord on our side, it really doesn't matter who is against us.  2 Kings 6:15-17 "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet ask the question that I think we all ask at times when we pray for something and God doesn't seem to be answering our prayers right away.  How long, O Lord? Forever?  Have you forgotten me?  Are you hiding your face from me when my heart if full of sorrow daily?  We live in a world where speed is valued, whether it's a high speed Internet connection or a burger in a drive thru.  But God doesn't always grant what we want instantly.  Sometimes we have to wait.  Sometimes we have to be patient.  Not an easy task when we're going through tough times.  But sometimes waiting on God is an important part of our journey through life and is the only way we'll learn what the Lord wants us to learn.  Waiting builds faith and teaches us patience.  We need to trust in God's timing and know that He has not forgotten us.  He will not forsake us.  He's answering our prayers in the best way and with the best timing that is for our good.  Psalms 13:1-2 "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?"
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