Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we continue to read about the marvelous things that Nephi was shown.  He saw a beautiful virgin who would give birth to the Son of God.  1 Nephi 11:12-20 "And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.  And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?  And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!  And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms."

In the Old Testament we read about how the Lord was going to smite the firstborn of all people and animals in Egypt, but would pass over and spare the firstborn of the Israelites.  Exodus 11:4-7 "And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:  And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.  And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.  But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel."

Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us that the Lord is our refuge and fortress and we can safely trust in Him.  He will shield and protect us, the way a mother bird stretches out her wings to protect her babies under her feathers.  Day or night, we do not need to be afraid. This world is filled with uncertainty, in yet there is a place of safety. We can be faced with all kinds of trials and tribulations, but still be in a safe place with God. He can be our safety net and our shelter. We can have security and peace with Him regardless of what we experience in life.  Psalms 91:2-5 " I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;"