The Sabbath Day is a joy to me. It is a time to renew my spirit, partake of the Sacrament, and see my friends. The Sabbath Day is a day to be nourished by the good word of God. The time spent resting from the labors of the world refreshes and strengthens me each week. Sadly, time marches on and then comes Monday morning! I may not be unique in this, but Monday mornings are not my favorite time. Most Mondays, I feel like the servant of Elisha in 2 Kings 6:15-17. “The servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him {Elisha}, Alas, my master! How shall we do?”
There has yet to be an army camped outside of my home on a Monday morning. Nor have there ever been thousands of evil garden gnomes lurking outside ready to attack! Nevertheless, going out into the world feels like going into battle with the hosts of Satan “compassed” about my home. This trepidation about plunging back into the world at the beginning of the week is also a subtle jab from the adversary. “Stay home, don’t go out and fight this battle again” he whispers.
Fear Not
Elisha’s response brings me strength, comfort, and confidence to move forward and begin the week. Elisha said: “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Never let the fear of Monday morning diminish the peace the Sabbath Day brings. Similarly, we cannot let fear of the world diminish our zeal to share the Good News that Jesus is the Christ! God is with us! Would that our eyes could be opened as Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened! We would see the concourses of angels standing ready to aide us in our efforts. We would see the landscape full of angels standing ready to aide our efforts. So, today, go forth, and put on the whole armor of God. Pray for His guidance and protection and be a shining light to a world filling with darkness. They that be with us are more than they that be with them!
