1 nephi 16:17 - 39
what can you do to apply the principles you learned from these passages?
--> a theme in my scripture study this morning has been chastening. in our family scripture study this morning we were reading about the Lord chastening His people when they had gotten lazy in their resolve to follow Him. and now, in these verses, it talks all about nephi's brothers and lehi being chastened for murmuring and not trusting in the Lord that He would provide, as He had promised.
"the Lord loves whom He chastens". chasten means "to reprove, having a moderating effect on". though in the moment it is often not pleasant to be chastened, the Lord really does do it because He loves us. it's like a little wake up call to get back on track. He wants us to be perfect. and He has a perfectly crafted plan to help us get there. part of that plan calls for some reprimand here and there.
last week, the ence family children were given a little chastening by our ever-loving parents. for things that i knew i was slacking off in, and needed to be better at. at first i was defensive and proud. but in the coming days since, i've become grateful for the chastening because it's opened my eyes to some of the blessings i've been missing out on by neglecting to do some things around the house and for my mom and in my spiritual life. not in the moment, but a few days later, after that resentment subsided (and i repented, ha ha) i could really feel the love of my dad in the rebuke. it's an interesting concept.
verse 29 says, "by small means the Lord can bring about great things." this has application to so so so many things in my life, but since we are talking about chastening today, i'll say it applies there too. even a small chastening and reminder to get back on track can have great and lasting consequences in our lives.
i am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows exactly what i need and when i need it. my love for the Lord keeps me on the path. He IS the path. He is the way. He is the light. i love Him.
to read a dynamite address about chastening, click here. elder d. todd christofferson's "as many as i love, i rebuke and chasten."
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