3 Nephi 4:10: In The Strength of the Lord Did They Receive Them...

"But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not ^afear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for ^bprotection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them." (Emphasis mine).

In this part of the Book of Mormon, the Nephites have gathered their people in Zarahemla and Bountiful to defend themselves against the invading armies of the Gadianton Robbers... And, their odds don't look good...  But, we learn that they have built their fortifications, and strengthened their cities. They have done all they can... Or, have they...??

A Prophet of the Lord tells them, "...except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be ^adelivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers." (3 Nephi 3:15).

We are told that, "...they did repent of all their sins; and they did put up their ^aprayers unto the Lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle." (3 Nephi 3:25).

As the band of Gadianton Robbers approach they see that the Nephites, "had all fallen to the earth, and did lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies." (3 Nephi 4:8).  The Robbers thought they had fallen to the earth out of fear, but they were wrong...  The Nephites were filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and were prepared to meet them in battle!!  And, verse 10 tells us, "... in the strength of the Lord they did receive them."

Now, this really struck me...  In our day, we are not often confronted by a band of Robbers, set upon our certain destruction...  We are not, most of the time, confronted by the possibility of imminent death...  But, we do face our own "Robbers"...  Those things, or people, or circumstances that would "rob" us of our peace, our strength and our spiritual security...  These could include illness, economic troubles, uncertainty in our employment, the unkindness of others, wavering faith, abuse or unkindness of others...  Even something as simple as a "Road Rage" driver, or a grouchy client on the phone...  So many different trials and afflictions that chip away at our Spiritual Armour everyday... 

How do we meet these challenges...??  Do we curl up in the corner and pout...??  Do we pull the covers over our head, and hope it will all just go away...??  Or, do we meet these "Robbers" in the strength of the Lord...??  Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is always here for us!!  He will run to our aid, if we will let Him!! 

I resolve to be better at meeting my daily "Robbers" in the strength of the Lord!!   : O )