I love Nephi. He explains at the beginning of 2 Ne 11 that his goal is to convince his people that Christ will come. He continues to teach Isaiah to his family as his brother Jacob did. Nephi keeps saying over and over, "my soul delights.. "
Does my soul delight in covenants I make with Christ? As I read these chapters I kept that in my heart to answer myself and ponder on. At the end of 11, he reminds me to liken his words unto me and unto others. I guess that is what I am doing in this blog.
Chapter 12 Isaiah says of the house of Israel, "stop being wicked and walk in the light of the Lord". It reminded me of something. Light illuminates and exposes things in the dark. I've been asked before, "how can I not do wicked things, hidden things, dark things because, we are "natural men who are enemies to God". That my friends is the answer. We will walk in the light of the Lord. It illuminates and exposes darkness and destroys hidden and dark things. That is the answer. To walk in the light. Take a second and look up Hymn #304 "Teach Me to Walk in the light" Better yet, read the lyrics here and then listen to the song.
#304 Teach Me to Walk in the Light Prayerfully
1. Teach me to walk in the light of his love; Teach me to pray to my Father above; Teach me to know of the things that are right; Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
2. Come, little child, and together we’ll learn Of his commandments, that we may return Home to his presence, to live in his sight— Always, always to walk in the light.
3. Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day For loving guidance to show us the way. Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight! Gladly, gladly we’ll walk in the light. Text and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904–1997. © 1958 IRI Isaiah 2:5 Ephesians 5:8
The thing I think is so profound about this idea of walking in the light of Christ and being in the light of Christ is that Isaiah warns about the wicked who will hide in the rocks and mountains, in the dark places to hide from God. When Christ comes again, his light will find the wicked and expose them. My dark thoughts and frustrations, resentments, weaknesses can not be hidden from God. It's why I repent every day.
Each night I sit and do a review of my day and am brutally honest with God. He sees it all, so I talk to him about my thoughts, words, deeds, and frustrations. Whether I have judged someone in my head, whether I repented fast of it, whether I took offense, whether I offended another.
His healing forgiveness removes it all, and I commit to try again tomorrow. His light strengthens me. Noone will be able to hide from God, but if we are living and walking in his Light we dont have to feel we need to.
2 Nephi 13 warns of the punishment of the wicked and goes in to detail about those being idol worshippers, lovers of money, lovers of self and how those behaviors will lead to spiritual ruin. Isaiah did not shy away from speaking strongly about things that offend God.
Spend some time reading these words of Isaiah in 2 Nephi. With the warnings, he shares about the righteous and their protection and favor with the Lord, also. There is not just punishment! So please read these chapters. They will teach you the way you should want to go.
Chapter 14 is short but symbolic. When Christ reigns in Jerusalem there will be healing, protection, shade and security for the righteous. People will be cleansed and Christ will protect them.
Chapter 15 further warns of the humbling of mean and haughty men by our righteous Lord. Let us strive to be humble and kind to one another.
2 Nephi 15:15
15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
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