Friday, October 19, 2012

Saul Saves the People from the Ammonites

Today I read 1 Samuel 11 where the Ammonites were coming down to war against Israel and Saul rallied the people to the defense of those besieged by the Ammonites.  Saul wins the affections of his people and is recognized as the future king of Israel by the people.

My only concern with this, is it sounds much too like the idea of conversion by miracle.  When someone is converted to the Lord because they see something miraculous, it is very difficult for them to remain faithful to Heavenly Father throughout their life.  It is much easier for true conversion to have faith first and then receive the miracle.  The reason for this is because a miracle will not cause a testimony to spring into being, but it will strengthen one.  Honestly, I don't understand why a miracle will not cause someone to have a testimony, but God has said it and that is good enough for me.  Besides we have several examples in the latter-days of this truth if Heavenly Father's word is not good enough for some. 

Faith needs to precede the miracle.  We need to already believe that Heavenly Father is there for us that Jesus is the Christ for it to be lasting if we are blessed with a miracle.  Also, a miracle does not need to be something huge and miraculous like an angel flying out of the sky to talk to you.  It can be a healing of a sick child.  A car stopping with no explanation to avoid a collision.  Paying your tithing instead of the mortgage and having the money show up in your account to cover the mortgage anyway.  Heavenly Father is more than happy to bless the lives of His people.  We just need to live a good and faithful life and He will bless us.  Until tomorrow.

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