The Sabbath Day can be like a mini Millennium in our life where one day in seven is set apart to make our final preparations to dwell forever with God, just as the Millennium is one day out of seven for the earth to make all the final preparations for exaltation. The blessings for keeping the Sabbath are tantamount to the blessings of the Millennium. So also is fasting in some ways equivalent to Millennial life where the total focus is on spiritual growth and development. Again we saw blessings that equate to Millennial life associated with fasting.Because the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, (Psalms 24:1) tithing is an interesting commandment. Looking at it from the Lord's point of view, he is saying, "I will let you keep 90% of my things, just leave me 10% to help build my kingdom which you will inherit." From that point of view we appear to be being dealt with as little children. The Lord tells us as much in the Doctrine and Covenants:
D&C 78:17
17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;
And then when we do keep such a simple commandment the rewards are almost unbelievable for letting the Lord keep only 10% of his own belongings. Like the blessings for keeping the Sabbath Day holy, the Lord promises the tithe payer that he will open the windows of heaven to them and pour out blessings upon them that there will not be room enough to receive them (Malachi 3:8-12). The Lord promises the tithe payer that their lands will be productive and they will be blessed with plenty.
When it is all added up, only one conclusion can be reached. God is loving and generous and those who keep these three commandments as outlined in the scriptures will have their wants and needs supplied even in times of famine, Elijah the prophet being a type. The Lord will abundantly take care of them both temporally and spiritually. As we learn from the Brother of Jared, he is the God of truth and cannot lie (Ether 3:12).
3 comments:
Heh heh, I like words "open wide" and "little children" together. You get that fun thought of a young one in its high chair ready to eat. You have the food. And you feed the little one saying, "open wide". And the airplane spoon goes into the mouth, "Vrooom".
But how true it is. What is asked of us and what He takes care of is startlingly close to that image. The Lord basically asks us to "open wide" and He feeds us. Just remember to chew and swallow and smile. He seeks to take care of us and would that we have a merry time. All we have to do is the easy part.
Be the happy one eating. Not the grumpy one who goes hungry because you want to do it all yourself (which you can't) or you do not like manna.
President and Sister Norman,
Shaine Alleman told me of your blog and it's neat to see your faces and "hear" your words again after almost 15 years. It looks like things are going well with you and your family. Likewise here. Feel free to visit our family blog at www.jminerfamily.blogspot.com
Now that I've found you, I'll be sure to stay in touch.
Take Care,
Josh Miner
Thank you for your wonderful insights on your blog and in our Thursday night class. I have enjoyed both immensely.
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