Living Witnesses

As time rolls on I am reminded often just how far I am from my goal, yet at the same time I am moving ever closer. I have a overpowering desire to be better yet the flesh is weak. My faith is such that I believe the Lord is able to do anything except for me. I believe what He says till it is a promise for me. I at times slack in my faith so I cry out sincerely as the father who's son was inflicted with a dumb spirit, "Help thou my unbelief." At times in the midst of trials I am fearful of the outcome even when I hear the quiet whisperings and the memories of just how He has never failed me. He has never gone back even when I have continued to fall.
The scriptures and history is full of examples of people overcoming through faith. We learn from history that others overcame by "doing". James teaches that "faith without works is dead." He brings it home even more so when he states, "the devils also believe and, tremble" In other words, it is not enough to simply say it but we have to live it and when trials come as they will inevitably come we must stand firm.

In the book of Mosiah chapter 23 we learn a very valuable lesson. This is a group of people who had recently given up their homes and city, family and friends, to follow Christ. They had all made a covenant to serve Him and their fellow men. In the midst of making these promises they were commanded to flee for their lives because of a wicked king. They did so willingly. They founded a new city and were prospering, quietly living their religion. They were dedicated but we read, "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people." 

We can rest assured that if we are faithful we will be tried by the Lord. I believe He does this so that we might learn for ourselves just how committed we are to the cause. He already knows. We learn later on that when we thrive in those situations we can become witnesses of His power and mercy to others. We will indeed stand as a living testimony that He lives and loves us. Living witnesses are more important and have a greater affect upon the hearts and minds of the people in their day.  People can speak with them and ask them, "did that really happen?"

Let us so live to be worthy to stand as an example of our Father's reality, that when He needs a witness we will stand the challenge that will be before us and partake of the bitter cup while not becoming bitter ourselves. 

He is real! Jesus really is His Son and He was able to overcome all things including death. Let us be faithful in our difficult circumstances so that we may be a living witness.