In The Day Of Our Trouble

TheDiscipleMD

There is plenty of good counsel to be found in the scriptures. Perhaps that is why the prophets are constantly encouraging us to read them . “The scriptures are like a written “recording” of the “voice” of the Lord—a voice we feel in our hearts more than we hear with our ears. As we study the written word of God, we learn to hear His voice in the words we read. As we return repeatedly to the holy scriptures, we gain experience and confidence in hearing and feeling His voice.” (David A. Bednar, “How can I learn more when I read the scriptures?,” Friend, Apr 2009, 17).

Sometimes the teachings found in the scriptures change, according to our willingness to learn and the circumstances presented. I was reading in the scriptures the other day when I came across these verses:

“They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble. In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.”  (D&C 101:7-9).

This scripture reminds me that, over the years,  I have often met with individuals who have discarded the counsel of the Lord. Then the consequences of their acts come upon them. Sometimes this takes years. But when that day comes they plead with the Lord to remove those consequences…immediately! It is a common trait we all hold.  At times when I examine my own life I realize that  I too,  on occasion, have “esteemed lightly” the counsel of the Lord. But, “in the day of my trouble”, I feel after the Lord, wanting mercy and immediate relief.

I am confident that the Lord loves His children and that His mercy is always there, and that He remembers us. That is comforting! I also know that I wouldn’t be a good earthly father if I eliminated all of my children’s problems and the consequences of their bad decisions. No growth of character would ensue. I can then understand why the Lord is slow to come to my rescue on occasion. I don’t like it, but I understand it is for my welfare.

The best thing to do is to listen to the counsel when it is first given so that we can avoid the consequences of sin or bad decisions. However, we all make mistakes. So it is comforting to know that, despite our weaknesses, the Lord’s “bowels are filled with compassion” and He will not “cast us off.”

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