7: For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou shalt have strength.
8: Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many, but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.
"Be patient." "Endure." "Everyone has afflictions." I have heard all of these phrases many times in my life... and admittedly, I myself have passed them on as words of advice or solace when a friend or loved one is struggling. I feel like this is good advice, but perhaps there is something more we could remind our friend, or ourselves when we are struggling. Perhaps we could share the truth that is found in the end of verse eight--the reality that Lord is with us. How amazing is that? The Lord is literally with us to lift us up and help us bear our afflictions "even unto the end of our days." Our ability to be patient and endure our afflictions is not something we can do alone. We are were not meant to suffer them alone. I was not meant to suffer alone.
Another incredible thing is that before the Lord even informed us about the trials that we would have, he gave us a solution to the problem. In verse seven we are counseled to give service, and then we are promised strength as a blessing for giving service. Here is yet another evidence that Heavenly Father is so incredibly kind and loving. He provides a solution to our problem before he even informs us about the problem that we will be faced with. Furthermore, He promises to remain by our side while we are encountering those afflictions and problems. Could there be a more perfect father? I cannot imagine one.
No comments:
Post a Comment