Be Strong

"Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid. Neither be thou dismayed. For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."

I found this a while ago and really liked it, so I thought I would share it. It is something that has been on my mind as I have contemplated as passage in the book Trusting Jesus by Elder Jeffery R. Holland:

"One request Christ made of his disciples on that night of deep anguish and grief was that they stand by Him, stay with Him in His hour of sorrow and pain. "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" He asked longingly (Matt 26:40).  I think He asks that again of us, every Sabbath day when the emblems of His life are broken and blessed and passed."

In reality there is so little asked of us and it isn't as difficult as we make it out to be to return with honor to our Father's presence. Jesus Christ overcame the most difficult of obstacles for us and set forth the example of what we need to do. We live in the winding up scenes and we must be strong and of good courage.

Just as Christ asked his disciples if they could not watch just one hour with, like Elder Holland I believe he asks the same of us. Couldn't you just be faithful for a little while? Couldn't you just be obedient?

Maybe it sounds like a guilt trip, but I am not sure that is how it is meant to be taken. I think He asks sincerely. What are the motives we have behind sin. In reality what do we get in exchange for sinning?

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Ne. 2:27).

Really? That's all we get? Yep ...

On the other side, God promises blessings in return for our obedience. Hmm ... Happiness ... Misery ... Happiness ... Misery ... I think I will take the blessings and happiness. Besides, I have never known Satan to be there for me when I am down in the dumps to lift me up. My Heavenly Father on the other hand has always been there for me, even when I feel the most unworthy.

While the fight seems hard, no fight was ever won without some kind of training. We must do the little things and strengthen our spiritual muscles so we can endure the fight when the battles get hard. "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have" (2 Ne 28:30).

Be strong and of good courage!