Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Mosiah 29:20 -- On Crying Mightily to the Lord

"But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him."
Mosiah 29:20


This is a very hopeful verse offered by King Mosiah to his people, as he suggested that they switch governments from kings to judges.  He was a great leader, and King Benjamin, his father, was a great leader (one of my faves), but he knew that if they stuck with kings that a bad one would come along sooner or later and do some damage (as King Noah had in the past).  And this is how he explains how they were delivered from that situation.  The answer was simple.  Prayer, and trust in God.

In our society, I'm not sure whether any pure monarchies still exist, and the political situations of our days are interconnected globally, and perhaps more complex than the situation Mosiah was in.  Nevertheless, the answers are always still the same.  Prayer, patience, faith, trust.  It's a pretty universal answer, actually.  Doesn't only work for countries and leaders, but in our individual lives, as we struggle to make sense of our circumstances and challenges.  God didn't deliver the people from Noah immediately, and he isn't going to deliver us from the challenges in our personal lives immediately in most cases either.  But he *will* deliver us. "Thus does the Lord work with is power in all cases" says Mosiah, and what I think he means is basically that if we stick with God, trusting in him (and in his timing), that we'll get to the promised land, or the happy ending--really both.  God will deliver us, show us the way to joy and peace, and teach us everything we need to know to reach our potential.

Today, let's humble ourselves and cry mightily to God about whatever struggles we are going through.  And let's keep doing so, and trusting and hoping in Christ rather than ever giving in to despair.  He loves us.  He will deliver us.  It's going to take some trust and patience and commitment from us, but as we cry to him, he will hear us, and teach us, and love us... through anything, all the way to the perfect day.

1 comment:

  1. I subscribe to the belief that we are gods--in training. As such we bring upon ourselves the challenges and trials we have. Enduring trials is only an option for those who do not believe, nor have faith (or have 'faith' in the trial aflicting them). When we humble ourselves before 'him' (our godliness or divine being and nature) and accept that we are gods, then when we 'cry mightily unto 'him', meaning we exercise the belief and faith that it is so; the way we seek or desire, then hold fast to that faith with unwavering steadiness, then the Lord (power of godliness which, by the way, is the power that can move mountains, turn water into wine and calm the tempests) will work his power among the children of men and extend his mercy towards us; blessing us with what we seek. Again, for those who put their trust in him (trust the power of the Lord and believe steadfastly and have steady faith).

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