Daily Thoughts

In the Book of Mormon we read that Alma went with his armies to battle against the Amlicites. The Lord was with Alma and the Nephites so that they were able to slay many of the Amlicites, who began to flee before them. Alma and his armies chased after them. 12,532 of the Amlicites were killed, while 6,562 of the Nephites were killed.  Alma 2:16-19 "Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governor of the people of Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea, with his captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of his armies, against the Amlicites to battle.  And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites.  Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them.  And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls."

In the Old Testament we read an admonition to obey the Lord and listen to His servants.  We need to trust in the Lord and be supported by Him.  Isaiah 50:10 "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."

Some verses with a thought booklet express Paul's feelings that he loved living in the flesh and being able to labor to bring others to Christ and find joy in faith. But he also knew that the next life with awaited him was far better.  So to live in Christ is wonderful and to die in Christ is even more glorious.  We have nothing to fear in life or death as long as we serve the Lord and have hope in Him. And the Lord knows better than we do when the right time is to call us home to Him.  If we're still here, we can know that He still have a work for us to do and a purpose to be here. An elderly man whose wife and son had died wondered why he couldn't die too.  He felt ready to join them instead of living all alone.  Then he realized that the Lord had some reason why he still needed to be there.  He decided that even if his health didn't allow him to do much, he could pray for others.  So he began to pray for the Meals on Wheels drivers who brought him his meals, for the deliverymen who brought him his medicine, and for anyone he heard about who needed help and prayers. Once he started thinking of others and feeling like he could serve them with his prayers, he started finding joy in life again.  Philippians 1:20-26 "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again."