As I was studying the words of King Benjamin today in chapter 5 of Mosiah in The Book of Mormon, a particular footnote caught my attention. It was the footnote to the word "covenant" in verse 5. Here is the whole fifth verse.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
As I read this verse, I thought of the covenants I have made. Some of those covenants are pretty substantial. They're big, and I feel it is almost impossible to fully live up to them. I'm not perfect and that's hard to accept sometimes.
When I read the footnote for the word "covenant," I received a lot of comfort and hope. The footnote leads to a scripture in 2 Chronicles 15, verse 12. It reads:
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul
The word that stands out to me in this verse is "seek." It seems to be a word that is linked with our heartfelt desire and motives. A word that talks about our intent. Isn't it great that we have a Savior and that we can enter into a covenant relationship with him? He helps us as we give him our heart. As we let him know how badly we want to follow him.
If you ever feel like you aren't measuring up or living up to the covenants you have made to follow the Lord in specific things, don't get discouraged. Remember that a covenant is a two-way thing. It's a companionship. Christ will strengthen you as you look to him. He doesn't require perfection right now, only practice.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
As I read this verse, I thought of the covenants I have made. Some of those covenants are pretty substantial. They're big, and I feel it is almost impossible to fully live up to them. I'm not perfect and that's hard to accept sometimes.
When I read the footnote for the word "covenant," I received a lot of comfort and hope. The footnote leads to a scripture in 2 Chronicles 15, verse 12. It reads:
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul
The word that stands out to me in this verse is "seek." It seems to be a word that is linked with our heartfelt desire and motives. A word that talks about our intent. Isn't it great that we have a Savior and that we can enter into a covenant relationship with him? He helps us as we give him our heart. As we let him know how badly we want to follow him.
If you ever feel like you aren't measuring up or living up to the covenants you have made to follow the Lord in specific things, don't get discouraged. Remember that a covenant is a two-way thing. It's a companionship. Christ will strengthen you as you look to him. He doesn't require perfection right now, only practice.
*Image from pastorpriji.com
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