Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that after Nephi had read the words of Isaiah to his brothers, they asked him to explain the meaning of these things. He told them that these things were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit, and pertained to things both temporal and spiritual.  He said that the house of Israel would be scattered upon the face of the earth and among the nations. This is because they hardened their hearts. 1 Nephi 22:1-5 " And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my brethren came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh? And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.  Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations. And behold, there are many who are already lost from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away. And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be hated of all men."

In the Old Testament we read that even though Balak offered Balaam great wealth and power if he would curse Israel, Balaam refused to go against what the Lord commanded him to say and blessed them instead.  This made Balak very angry, but Balaam stood his ground.  Are we willing to stand firm in doing what's right, even though we may have to make gret sacrifices to do soor people may get upset with us?  Numbers 24:10-13 "And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.  Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour.  And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,  If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?"

A verse with a thought booklet says that the Lord lifts up the humble and meek, but casts the wicked down to the ground.  Psalms 147: 6 "The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground."