Mosiah 7:15 “We are in
bondage to the Lamenites… and now, behold, our brethren will deliver us out of
bondage…”
I think too often in the victim-mentality we want
others to rescue us, not realizing the power to rescue lies with One only. We think someone else can snap their fingers
and with ease deliver us. But there is a
price that must be paid; a lesson to be learned so that we don’t return “as a
dog to his vomit.” What got us into
bondage? Why are we still here? What must I do to get out? What price must I pay? And where will the
Mighty arm of Grace rescue me after all I can do?
v. 18 “Oh ye, my people, lift up your heads and be
comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we
shall no longer be is subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many
strugglings, which have been in vain…”
He had great faith is his rescuers, and great hope
despite the long time they have struggled in bondage.
“yet
I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made.”
He knows of the price that must be paid. Last night I was reading in “Jackrabbit email
tidbits” and Leslie Householder was talking about changing from the inside out:
that after we change on the inside, the outer circumstances are an eventuality. Changing my heart from the inside out is the
price I must pay. I want my
transformation to be complete, and not just temporary. I know that real change will bring real
lasting peace, and not a temporary peace. (Reagan quote about peace.)
v.
19 “Therefore, lift up your heads,
and rejoice, and put your trust in God…”
Last night Leslie (Jackrabbit author) said that
changing from the inside starts with putting ourselves in a state of gratitude,
even though the outside circumstances have not yet changed. It seems that this is what Limhi is asking
his people to do. This is where faith
germinates and breaks forth into life.
v. 20 God is good and has done many things to
preserve His people “and behold, it is because of our iniquities and
abominations that he ahs brought us into bondage.”
I love how he is not making any excuses, but taking
full responsibility. Same thing in v. 25
“for if this people had
not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great
evil should come upon them.”
v. 32 “And now, behold,
the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye are smitten and afflicted.
33 “But if ye will turn to the Lord with full
purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence
of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure,
deliver you out of bondage.”
Thoughts on “He did deliver me from bondage” p.44
day 5
Yes, I see this process. I trust the process. I know it can not happen all at once. I know that the faster change happens the
faster the rebound. Slow change is
permanent change though the Lord. I saw
this in my garden while growing green beans that young tender plants are easily
moved and changed. The tomatoes are
probably a better example. Young plants
can be trained. Old plants break much
easier with the stress of change. But I
read that if you stick an old t-shirt under the part you want to move to create
slow change, that even an old limb can be safely moved without damage.
My studies in the garden also brought me to see the
Law of the Harvest, and that God’s judgments are just. We reap according to that which we sow. God created for us this environment here on
earth to learn through life’s experiences, both good and bad. It is all a part of God’s plan. We are on course. Just because we experience pain does not mean
everything is not in alignment. Pain
brings motivation to change; it is a great teacher to create permanent
change. It’s all part of the
process. I know He loves me and is
leading me to that permanent change to deliver me out of bondage, where the
temptations of Satan can no longer sway me.
Overcoming the power of the adversary to bind Him
with our righteousness is no small task.
This is how Zion
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