Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon I read that the people of far countries should gird themselves for they will be broken in pieces. God was with the children of Israel who were commanded not to walk in the way of the people. They had nothing to fear from others.  2 Nephi 18:1-13 "Moreover, the word of the Lord said unto me: Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen, concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.  And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.  And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me: Call his name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz.  For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. The Lord spake also unto me again, saying: Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;  Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.  And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.  Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.  Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."

In the Old Testament we read a reminder that the Lord doesn't look on our outward appearance, but rather sees the person that we are in our hearts.  Do we judge people because they may not be as attractive as someone else?  Maybe they're handicapped or overweight or can't afford to wear designer clothes.  But these are not the things that God sees when He looks at us.  We need to likewise look deeper and see into a person's heart.  We may find some real treasures there we would otherwise miss.  1 Samuel 16:7 " But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Some verses with a thought booklet teach us to love and interact with people the way Jesus would.  It's not enough to love the nice people who love us back and treat us kindly.  We need to love everyone, including our worst enemies.  Not easy to do, but if were are to be perfect (which we're commanded to be) this is something we need to learn to do.  But the good news is, we don't have to do it on our own.  God will help us if we turn to Him.  Is there someone you have bad feelings for, or who makes you angry every time you think of them?  Pray for them.  Do something good for them.  Ask the Lord to soften your heart toward them.  God loves everyone and sends the rain to the good and evil people alike.  When we're tempted to judge or condemn another person, let's remember that this person is a child of God and He loves them.  Let's try to see them with His eyes.  Matthew 5:43-48 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."