David pleaded with God to save him "in an acceptable time." Paul and Amulek both testified that the acceptable time is now. Part of the Savior's mission was to proclaim that grace is available to us immediately if we are willing to receive it.
Hunters and Fishers
The gathering of Israel is underway, and each of us can be part of it. Jeremiah said, "The days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north,... Continue Reading →
“Thou Art My Servant”
To be a servant of God is a great honor. King Benjamin reported to his people that God had preserved him so that he could serve them. Then, he added, "Because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been... Continue Reading →
Waiting Upon the Lord
At the end of Isaiah 40, the prophet draws a sharp contrast: The strongest among us will eventually fail. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall." Our strength and our endurance is limited, and we will all face challenges we cannot overcome on our own. But if... Continue Reading →
“I…Will Hold Thine Hand”
Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of acknowledging our vulnerability and recognizing God's supremacy. While it is true that God is infinitely more powerful than us, that truth is balanced by His boundless love for us. Here are a few expressions of God's love found in Isaiah 40-49: "Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah... Continue Reading →
Forsaken
King David opens the 22nd psalm with a desperate cry: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?Psalm 22:1 By the end of the psalm, he reaffirms his conviction that God doesn't forget His children, but at first, we just hear his poignant cry of anguish. O... Continue Reading →
Songs of Everlasting Joy
Isaiah associated singing with joy. For example: "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob" (Isaiah 48:20, 1 Nephi 20:20). "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth;...and break forth into singing, O mountains;... for... Continue Reading →
“Though Israel Be Not Gathered” – 1 Nephi 21:5
In a poignant expression of self-doubt, Isaiah lamented his apparent lack of success: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.1 Nephi 21:4, Isaiah 49:4 In response God offered the following words of reassurance: And now,... Continue Reading →
Be a Light
Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). To His disciples on the American continent, He phrased it as an imperative: "I give unto you to be the light of this people" (3 Nephi 12:14). God had previously given a similar message to the prophet Isaiah: I will also give thee for... Continue Reading →
“I Will Fight Your Battles”
We all face battles that we can't fight alone. Whether it be people who oppose us, health issues, financial burdens, or other challenges, we all have frequent reminders of our limitations and of our need for help. Isaiah captured this quandary eloquently with the following poetic query: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty,... Continue Reading →