Being a college student some times money can be a little tight. There have been times where I've fretted over how in the world I'm going to make ends meet. This is some thing that each of us goes through and is familiar with. Often it keeps us up late into the night and makes it difficult to focus on the things that matter most in our lives. However, I can testify that the Lord always does provide.
Some times what we are experiencing is a trial of our faith. Consider the story of Abraham when he is asked to sacrifice Isacc. In the original Hebrew the text reads somewhat like this with a climactic tone to it: "Take thy son, thine only son, whom thou loves, even Isacc... and offer him for a burnt offering... " (Genesis 2:22 What's interesting about the original Hebrew is that the Lord approaches Abraham saying "Lacakh na" essentially "take I pray thee." The word "na" in Hebrew denotes a kind of respect, so if taken literally, the request that God is making of Abraham is done with respect, almost as if the Lord understand how hard such a request is for His prophet. The text goes on to discuss how the Lord wishes Abraham to offer Isacc as an "ohla". There are many different sacrifices offered in the Bible but an "ohla" is special because it is known as the sacrifice used to commune with God. It is formally known as the offering of peace.
I think at times we all feel like Abraham must have felt. Overwhelmed, like God is asking too much and not blessing us enough. Or, that He is taking blessings from us that we feel He promised us. There will be hard times in this life my dear readers. Times where we feel like we cannot handle what the Lord is plading before us. Recall Paul's admonishment to the Corinthians: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able" (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Lord will not give us any thing we cannot handle. He will not ask us to lift a cross that is too heavy for our shoulders to bear, nor give up any thing with out blessing ten fold for our sacrifice.
I love the story in the Book of Mormon of Alma and his people who are subject to the Lamenites. They are weighed down with the burdens of their enslavement but Alma records "The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease" (Mosiah 24:15). At times the Lord does not remove the trial that we are going through or ease the affliction that we are under. Rather he gives us the strength to get through it. Whether its financial issues, the stresses of family, relationships, school, or work the Lord knows what we most need to glean all that He wants us to learn from that experience.
One of the greatest things that we need to remember is the importance of drawing closer to God in our trials, not further from Him. Decide now my dear reader, this moment, that instead of turning and walking away you will fall on your knees before Him and pray for the strength you feel you lack. Worry not for yourself for Christ said "He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it". A beautiful verse in the Doctrine and Covenants reads "Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever" (D&C 122:9).
I invite you my dear readers to "consider the lilies of the field" and the "fowls of the air" are they not provided for by a loving and merciful God? As I have said before He knows you my dear reader. Be not afraid of the tumultuous storms of this life. Recall the account Christ gives of the five sparrows sold for two farthings and "not one is forgotten before God" (Luke 12:6). The Master goes on to say "But even the very haris of your head are all numbered; fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7).
At times it may seem like we are forgotten. Like we are left to wander without any sense of direction or purpose. Other times we may feel like God is being unfair or punishing us for some thing that we've done. One of my favorite concepts comes from a General Conference talk entitled : Laborers in the Vineyard by Jeffery R. Holland. In it he says "Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it." God loves you. He loves you so much that he "gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Just as he "clothes the lilies of the field" He will clothe you with the warmth of His mercy and wrap you in the arms of His love. Never cease to draw near unto Him. Remember the words of the Apostle James "Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you" (James 4:8). Seek Him. Know Him. Glorify Him. Count your blessings and may He always be with you, until you read again.
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