Psalm of Nephi

2 Nephi 4

Lehi finishes blessing his children and dies.  It wasn’t long and the brothers started making more grief for Nephi.  (Isn’t that just like life?  Things don’t stay comfortable for very long.)  It is this chapter where Nephi cries to the Lord for his own sins.  His sins?  Are you kidding?  The man was so very good.  He was a prophet.  But he sinned in his feelings towards his brothers at times.  A sister in RS once said this psalm is evidence of some depression as well.  This sister is a psychologist. 

Of course, I had my Carli filter on as I was reading today.  If she could only read this with the intent to have it help her.  Yesterday she was fired from her employment that she absolutely loved and lived for.  The path she is on is dangerously destructive and I fear for her like a mother does.  What verses screamed at me this morning?  Easy.  “. . . why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?” v27

“Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.”  V28  My advice to anyone is to define the enemy of your soul.  Of course, it is Satan, but he has minions who work for him – not the least of which are our own weaknesses.  Define those weaknesses.  Begin to conquer them with the help of your Savior.

Another verse:  “Yes, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh v35.”  For crying out loud, just ask!  He is there for you.  You are not the first one to feel as though you are in the depths of hell and you will not be the last.  Reach out for help.  The Lord loves you and will have someone there to help you.  You must make the first move though.  And maybe even the second, third or fourth move, but the Lord will send someone.  You will begin to see His hand in your life.  This was my experience.  I’ve heard others give similar testimony and I know it is the plan.  The Lord has a plan for each of us and it is not to wallow in despair at the the destructive mess we create from sinning.  He wants us to return to Him, and He has provided a way for that.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has paid for our sins.  We do not have to keep paying for them and stay planted in them.  We can move forward and I pray like I’ve never prayed before that you will have the courage to reach out. 

Hmmm.  I guess I made this a bit personal today, didn’t I?  To me, reading the scriptures is a very personal thing.