Today’s Reading: 2 Nephi 4:24-30
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
This chapter in 2 Nephi is one of my absolute favorites in the whole Book of Mormon. Sometimes referred to as “Nephi’s Psalm”, it radiates encouragement, love, peace, and joy. I can’t help but feel happy when I read it.
In this block of scriptures, Nephi is expressing his desire to overcome the power of the adversary, to rejoice in the glorious goodness of the Savior, and to move forward with renewed strength and faith. Yes, yes, and yes. I have a desire to do all of those things as well. Some days it’s easy to overcome temptations, fight off distractions, and speak in kind tones. Other days…yikes. It’s not. But the good news is, we get to begin again whenever we want to. We don’t even have to wait for a new day to begin. We can start over every single minute if we have to. That’s part of the glorious goodness that comes from our Savior- the Atonement. It allows us to correct our wrongs, strengthen our weaknesses, and carry us through times of sorrow.
Now, how to get my soul to “awake” and “no longer droop in sin”? That is the real question, isn’t it? Nephi gives us some answers for this question in these short six verses.
Verse 24: “I have waxed bold in mighty prayer before him.”
Verse 25: “Upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away.”
Verse 27: “Why should I yield to sin? Why give way to temptations?”
Verse 28: “Rejoice…give place no more for the enemy of my soul.”
Verse 29: “Do not slacken my faith because of mine afflictions.”
Verse 30: “Rejoice, o my heart.”
Prayer. Following the Holy Ghost. Resisting temptations. Rejoicing (mentioned not once, but twice.) Keeping your faith strong and bright.
As we make these choices on a daily basis and strive to keep the Savior in our every thought and action, our lives will be blessed. Our souls will awaken and rejoice and we will no longer be held down by the heavy weight of sin and sorrow. Elder Richard G. Scott said this,
“Not long ago you came to mortality with all of those magnificent capabilities and endless possibilities. Yet there is real danger in the environment surrounding you…However, Satan is no match for the Savior. Satan’s fate is decided. He knows he has lost, but he wants to take as many with him as he can. He will try to ruin your goodness and abilities by exploiting your weaknesses. Stay on the Lord’s side, and you will win every time.” (LDS General Conference April 2013)
The Lord will bless us as we strive daily to stay close to Him. I know this because I have experienced it for myself. So let us “no longer droop in sin”, but instead Awake and Rejoice! We are children of God and with Him we cannot fail.
I grew up the oldest of 5 children in the blazing heat of Southern Utah. After high school and some college experience I met and married Mark Ogden and we are the parents of four children. I have owned and operated my own home-based preschool for more than a dozen years, and I consider myself an accidental author as well. When I am not in my minivan transporting children from one activity to the next, I enjoy playing the piano, blogging, speaking about my life’s experiences, and feeding my insatiable crafting disease.
“we get to begin again whenever we want to. We don’t even have to wait for a new day to begin. We can start over every single minute if we have to.” I love this! I think many of us don’t allow ourselves that new beginning often enough. Thanks for the reminder Desirae!
You’re welcome! This is definitely something that I have to remind myself of. All. The. Time. 🙂