In the Book o Mormon we read that King Noah was angered by Abinidi's words and ordered that he be done away with. But Abinidi stood forth boldly and warned them not to try to lay their hands on him because he still needed to deliver the message that the Lord had sent him to give to them. He told them that they were angry with him for telling them the truth, and because he had spoken the word of God to them, they had judged him to be mad. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Abinidi and his face shined. He spoke with power and authority from God and the people did not dare lay their hands upon him. His words filled them with wonder and amazement and also anger. He told them that after he delivered his message to them, it wouldn't matter what they did to him because he would be saved. Mosiah 13:1-10 "And now when the king had heard these words, he said unto his priests: Away with this fellow, and slay him; for what have we to do with him, for he is mad. And they stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on him; but he withstood them, and said unto them: Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time. But I must fulfill the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad. Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord. And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued his words, saying: Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities. Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with anger. But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved. But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come."
In the Old Testament we read that sometimes the wicked and ungodly prosper in this world and seem to have everything they could possibly want. Sometimes it's easy for us to be envious of them. But in the end, the wicked will be punished and those who trust in the Lord will be received up into glory. Psalms 73:3-12, 18-28 " For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us to continue in prayer, with thanksgiving. Even with our busy lives and many things we need to do each day, one of the most important things on our to-do lists should be to pray and offer our thanks to God. Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
---------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment