The Book of Jared

Just stand...

I got thinking about the metaphor of standing, as it is used in the scriptures. In the scriptural sense, there are several uses for stand, but the most powerful use is when it comes to standing in the presence of the Lord.

24 Behold, the great aday of the Lord is at hand; and who can babide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? Doctrine and Covenants 128:24

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, gives us the key to standing in the presence of theLord in his letter to the Ephesian saints, sixth chapter:

  13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

  14 Stand therefore, having your loins agirt about with btruth, and having on the cbreastplate of drighteousness;

Anchor

  15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of apeace;

Anchor

  16 Above all, taking the shield of afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery bdarts of the wicked.

Anchor

  17 And take the helmet of asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Anchor

  18 aPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all bperseverance and supplication for all saints;

Truth, righteousness, preparation of the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer and supplication, and finally, watching. That last one is interesting to me; watching. The latin word is vigilantes, the same latin root as our word vigilance. The word her employed is more forceful than just looking over a beautiful vista of flowers or watching children play. The word connotes active watching as opposed to casual observance. This brought to my mind a time while I was in the military and  on a field exercise in the mountains outside of Scofield, Utah. It was January or February, and the temperatures were well below zero. I was asked to perform guard duty for several hours, outside of the nice warm tent, to keep watch for another team that was to advance on or position.  While my comrades in arms slept in their warm mummy bags, I was placed in a position of vigilance. I truly believe this is what Paul taught and what the Lord expects of us. True watchful vigilance in whatever capacity we are called upon in our service in His Church and Kingdom. This is as true for the nursery leader as it is for the Bishop, Elders Quorum president, or even the President of the Church. We must all be watchful, for we know not the hour the enemy will come, but we can rest assured that he will come, and we, as watchers on the Lord's errand are the first and best line of defense against him.

Written by Jared on Thursday December 15, 2022.

Permalink - Categories: General-Musings, Doctrines

« You're doing it wrong... - For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. »