Primary 73 - The Lord is our Strength

Children, 

Israel was governed for roughly four hundred years before a king was put in place at their request and while there were skirmishes, the people were well-governed. Yes, during that time there were wars and conquers and Israel went through their experiences and trials with sin and pain, remember the Lord was with them always.

One of those trials was with the Midianites. These people had different ideas, and beliefs and trusted in the strength of their arms. Does this remind you of another nation? We refer to the Lamanites of course. Now because the Israelites were not a wholesome and righteous nation and slipped into following the idolatry of Midian, it would take a humble man to lead them to freedom and liberty. Gideon was that man. He asked for miracles not to prove God as the unrighteous do but to build existing faith that Gideon had in Him who Saves.

Jesus had a similar experience when He encountered a man of the same faith when he learned that his (the Centurian's) daughter was ill and Jesus was close by. When later they learned of the daughter's passing, the man then wanted to call off the healing, not because he didn't have faith but because his faith was short.  He, when asked about it, realized a chance was given to learn, and learn he did when he asked to help with his faith and saw a miracle because of it. (Matt 8:5-13)

When Gideon asked to increase his faith, the Lord told him he would lead Israel to victory over Midian. At first, the army was huge, but it was too much and He asked that Gideon reduce it. The Lord wanted to show His strength and not have the Israelites boast that they had defeated the Midianites but that it was the Lord. He then showed by a sign and by the wonder over and over the army went from thousands to a few hundred. Now you might wonder why? 

Many times Heavenly Father wants to show us His strength to strengthen us. We sometimes need to see how his strength magnifies our effort a hundredfold. When the armies under Gideon fought Midianites, there was an overwhelming success. God was behind a righteous leader and faithful soldiers/saints. They were not lapping dogs to Moab but stod to the strength of Moab with the strength of God. 

You and we have the Holy Ghost and, though at times, may feel insignificant, have a power that He wants to magnify our strength with his. He wants to redeem us daily if we believe and receive it. All we have to do is follow Jesus line upon line and learn of Him, precept by precept; here a little there a little. Gideon learned that and we can too.

We testify that as you open your heart, mind, and will to the Lord you will be blessed and bless others. Your whole being will uplift others and be a light that draws others to God. We love you guys.

Challenges 
1) Read Ruth, 1Samuel 1-3
2) every day this next week ask the Lord how you can strengthen your faith? Record your experiences and thoughts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Primary 133 - Preservation of your testimony and chastity

Image
source   Children, 1 Corinthians 6:13 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Paul spoke of fornication but this could also apply to things that pollute the soul. You would not eat a rotten apple. The foolish would say "But it is an apple". The same is said for sexual and spiritual purity. You cannot say you can get spiritual nourishment from corruptible things. Books, movies, and the like are no good if there is corruption in their content.  He further stated that our bodies are owned by another; a rental. We are owned by Christ if we care about our covenant of obedience. The especially for youth handbook encourages obedience, charity, chastity, repentance, and faith. When you become a teen you will be shown more on the topic but for now, strive for stern obedience. For moms and dads, he said that Mom owns Dad's chastity and vice
Read more

Primary 52 - Adam and Eve

Image
image God created our first parents. He created male and female; man and woman. When He created them they were equals. You see Heavenly Father did not create Eve from the head of Adam to be over him or by his foot to be below him. He didn't make Eve from the sternum or back to be behind or front of him. He, God, made Eve, Adam's wife, from his side, under his strong arm, near his heart. This is how we view marriage. The very symbol of marriage shows how much the need to find and be equal in marriage is. As saints, we strive to maintain the companionship that will make you a better person and at the same time will strive to encourage your spouse to be a better person.  Many years from now you will be dating or preparing for marriage. Brothers and sisters, look for a companion that will strengthen you and make you smile. Being in love is not just a feeling, it's a commitment. This commitment will require trust, respect, compassion, charity, repentence, and forgive
Read more

Primary 128 - Pricked or Cut

Image
I mage Children,  The Holy Ghost can touch us in one of two ways. Either we are pricked to do good or cut by the good word. The Greeks have a word for this. Hodos means "In the way". Is the Savior in the way of our success or are we doing things "In the Savior's way seeking His success?" The role of a disciple.  When the church has grown we have been given responsibilities callings and keys according to our ability and spiritual potential.  We should be eagerly engaged in the work we are called to do to lighten the load of those who are called to do more such as Bishops or Stake Presidents. Visiting the widowed and orphaned can be done by them but they ask many to be ministers to the many to bear the load. Don't just see the vision but catch it. When you catch the vision, it has changed you to do more and be actively engaged in the Lord's work.  Stephen and Phillip who were members of the seventy showed it in their actions.  Alma, Paul, Josep
Read more