Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Enos wrestles before God before he obtained a remission if his sins. He was out hunting when the words his father had tried to tell him regarding eternal life sunk deep into his soul.  Sometimes we try to talk to family members or friends about the paths they are taking in life because we see that the path they are following will bring them nothing but pain and sorrow.  We think they're not listening.  But we never know when our words might come back to them and make a real impact on their lives.  It might even happen when we're no where near them and they're out on a hunting trip.  Enos 1: 1-3 "Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—  And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart."

In the Old Testament we read that Ahaz ruled in wickedness, practiced idolatry, and as a result the Lord delivered him into the hand of the King of Syria who carried him away captive.  When we forsake the Lord, we suffer consequences.  2 Chronicles 28:1-6 " Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father:  For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.  Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.  He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.  Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers."

A verse with a thought booklet tells us to serve the Lord with gladness and singing.  It's not enough to merely serve the Lord grudgingly and resentfully--we should be happy to be able to serve.  Psalms 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."