Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Ether 6:4 -- On Preparation and Faith

"And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God."
Ether 6:4


This verse is talking about Jared and his brother getting ready to travel to the promised land.  It seems to me that it applies to each of our lives as we travel to our own individual promised lands.  They aren't always the same, but we are all travelling towards what God has promised us, and it requires the same kind of faith. 
A couple of things stand out here to me.  They worked really hard to prepare for their journey.  They prepared, and when they had done "all" the things they needed to do to prepare, then they commended themselves to God.  Sometimes we miss part of this.  We sometimes prepare and leave out the part about commending ourselves to God, and sometimes the opposite: we commend ourselves to God, but leave out the preparation.
As we travel towards the promised land today, let's remember to prepare extensively and make sure we are ready for whatever comes.  And for the things that we can't possibly prepare for, let's commend ourselves to God, and trust ourselves to his care.  If we remember to do both parts, then we can have confidence that we will reach our destination... we've done our part and God will do his.
These people had no idea where the promised land was or how long it would take to get there... and often, neither do we.  God's promises come to us on his timeline, not ours.  But if we prepare and trust in him, we will get there, and it will be glorious.

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