Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 4:27-31
I find these verses very interesting. Nephi is doing pretty good job of holding his own. He has bluffed his way through getting the plates. He has even talked the servant of Laban into carrying them to the city gates for him. This idea of doing something that was perceived to be for the Elders of the Church must have been pretty persuading.
Who were these guys? What power and control did they have? How did one become privileged enough to participate in the group or be part of this group? I am not sure, but I get the feeling that what they did, what they said, what the wanted was pretty much the law. Everyone seemed to look to them. I can see both the good and the bad of this. If they lead in righteousness, then I can see it being good, but in this case, it appears that they might have been doing some sad things on the side. They were giving the pretense of being good, but only if it benefited them.
So here we are, at the city gates. Suddenly, Nephi's charade has been called. His brothers think it is Laban coming to kill them so he has to call out to them in his own voice. That leaves him with this servant of Laban to deal with, this servant who it carrying the plates you came to retrieve. Can you imagine? I don't know that I can, but I try.
I am sure the adrenaline was really pumping. The closer they got to the city gates, I imagine Nephi's heart pounding harder and harder. What was going through his head? I am impressed with his actions. We see a little bit of both worlds here. Especially in verse 31. He starts by bragging a little.
He was buff. He worked out. He could hold his own. If the spirit let him, I imagine him going on about how the women would swoon over his large stature and that he was often mistaken for an older man. (Remember this is my imagination running away with itself, this is not doctrine)
Anyway, Nephi felt that he could probably take this servant. He shows that in his boasting. However, that is not where Nephi gives the credit. He recognizes that it has been by the power of God that he is where he is. He recognizes that he would not have been able to hold the servant of Laban if it had not been for the power of God. What a valuable lesson we have to learn here.
It does not matter what we do, what we can do, where we are, the positions we hold, the job titles we have, the many strengths and talents that we demonstrate in our lives; we need to make sure that we remember where those things come from. We need to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives. We have all these things because of him, for following him, for recognizing him in our lives.
I am always amazed at this. He gives to me that I may be. When I recognize him, he gives me more that I may be more. We are always in his debt. Do not forget this. Your life will be less complicated if you do. As you recognize his hand in your life, you will also see that he has and will help you to accomplish things that you alone would never be able to do. This is so true. I know it.
I find these verses very interesting. Nephi is doing pretty good job of holding his own. He has bluffed his way through getting the plates. He has even talked the servant of Laban into carrying them to the city gates for him. This idea of doing something that was perceived to be for the Elders of the Church must have been pretty persuading.
Who were these guys? What power and control did they have? How did one become privileged enough to participate in the group or be part of this group? I am not sure, but I get the feeling that what they did, what they said, what the wanted was pretty much the law. Everyone seemed to look to them. I can see both the good and the bad of this. If they lead in righteousness, then I can see it being good, but in this case, it appears that they might have been doing some sad things on the side. They were giving the pretense of being good, but only if it benefited them.
So here we are, at the city gates. Suddenly, Nephi's charade has been called. His brothers think it is Laban coming to kill them so he has to call out to them in his own voice. That leaves him with this servant of Laban to deal with, this servant who it carrying the plates you came to retrieve. Can you imagine? I don't know that I can, but I try.
I am sure the adrenaline was really pumping. The closer they got to the city gates, I imagine Nephi's heart pounding harder and harder. What was going through his head? I am impressed with his actions. We see a little bit of both worlds here. Especially in verse 31. He starts by bragging a little.
He was buff. He worked out. He could hold his own. If the spirit let him, I imagine him going on about how the women would swoon over his large stature and that he was often mistaken for an older man. (Remember this is my imagination running away with itself, this is not doctrine)
Anyway, Nephi felt that he could probably take this servant. He shows that in his boasting. However, that is not where Nephi gives the credit. He recognizes that it has been by the power of God that he is where he is. He recognizes that he would not have been able to hold the servant of Laban if it had not been for the power of God. What a valuable lesson we have to learn here.
It does not matter what we do, what we can do, where we are, the positions we hold, the job titles we have, the many strengths and talents that we demonstrate in our lives; we need to make sure that we remember where those things come from. We need to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives. We have all these things because of him, for following him, for recognizing him in our lives.
I am always amazed at this. He gives to me that I may be. When I recognize him, he gives me more that I may be more. We are always in his debt. Do not forget this. Your life will be less complicated if you do. As you recognize his hand in your life, you will also see that he has and will help you to accomplish things that you alone would never be able to do. This is so true. I know it.
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