Scriptural mentors who possess great power demonstrate that we are in the moment of our greatest strength when we are in total acknowledgement of our weakness. They are eager to tell the Lord how weak and worthless they are therefore, they live in constant divine indebtedness, and are enabled with divine power. One classic illustration is the Brother of Jared “we know that thou art holy and . . . we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually.” (Ether 3:2 see also 2 Nephi 4). When we appraisingly stand in relation to Christ “we do not stand at all, we kneel!” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign Nov. 1981 p. 8) Therefore true humility is not an abject self-despising attitude; it is the right estimate of ourselves as God sees us. Without divine humility we keep our defects; but they become encrusted with pride, which disguises them from personal examination.
King Benjamin teaches us: “If ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath. . . and even supporting you from one moment to another--I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. (Mosiah 2:21)
This is not humiliating but it is humbling! The very moment I am righteous, the Lord blesses me and instant indebtedness besets again. Accordingly constant gratitude to the Lord must permeate personal prayers. King Benjamin continues that God “doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you.” (Mosiah 2:24) King Benjamin implies retrospective realization of blessings not automatic appreciation. It is unrealistic and ungrateful to accept heavenly blessings without accountability. Through thankful prayer our blindness will be healed and we will see the blessings of the Lord instantaneously.
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6 comments:
Good stuff.
But I would really love to hear about your kids...it's been what...5 weeks??? :)
Thanks for the insights. So true.
Wise. And certainly requires not only constant consideration, but continued action.
Amen brother.
Wanna know what is so funny? Those same thoughts were going through my head last week; the fact that I constantly feel like there is no way that I could be as good as Christ was, therefore it makes me always want to be a better person so I can come somewhat close in the end. Thanks Brother Skelton!
I really liked when you said we have our strength when we are in our weakness. That is so true! Thanks again for being such a good teacher & friend! I now know that I was in your class at the time I was for a reason! Thanks again!
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