In previous chapters, Alma has preached without success in Ammonihah, but is impressed to return where he meets and converts Amulek. The two of them preach and convert many, including Zeezrom who is a lawyer hired to contend with them. Those chapters contain brilliant essays on the purpose of the atonement, the need for priesthood and priesthood ordinances and the need for repentance.
The people are followers of the order of Nehor who preached that because God is loving and powerful all people will be saved. Therefore, there is no need for repentance, because there is no sin. The chief judge, who has prospered under this false order is angry and, accepting the testimony of false witnesses, orders them to prison. First, however, they must watch as a fire is built and the believers with their children are cast in along with the holy scriptures.
Observing this unimaginable cruelty, Amulek says to Alma that they should put forth their hands, put an end to this cruelty and destroy the wicked people who were perpetrating it. This, reasoned Amulek, they could do by the power of God, which was in them. Alma stated that the Spirit constrained him from doing so and that there was a purpose in allowing the persecution to run its course. The martyrs were destined for eternal glory and their blood would be a testimony against the wicked.
Amulek assumes that the power of God is some kind of super power that he can wield at will; that it is in him. Alma knows that the power is with God and can only be wielded in faith when prompted by the Spirit. The two of them are then subjected to intense persecution, cast into prison where they are stripped, beaten and taunted. Finally, after many days (as the scripture emphasizes) the power of God was upon them, they rose to their feet and cried unto the Lord for strength and deliverance. They broke the cords that bound them and even though the persecutors attempted an escape, they did not get to the door before the walls caved in upon them killing everyone except Alma and Amulek.
The scripture again emphasizes that the power was granted unto them by the Lord. It was exercised according to their faith in Christ.
Too often we want to give God our deadlines and dictate to him what the timing should be. "I've suffered enough," or "I've waited ling enough," or "these people are in need," etc. If we are patient in long suffering, however, the outcome is always greater than if we had received the miracle we requested on our timing.
It takes patience in waiting on the Lord, faith that his is aware of us, and faith to act on the promptings when the time arrives to act. "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path." Proverbs 3:5-6
Amen.
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