When peace is your resupply.

In Alma 58 of the Book of Mormon, we read of a small army commanded by Helaman.

Wanting to take back their city - Manti - Helaman and his men strategized their approach.

The Lamanaites (the opposing force) were mighty in strength and in number unlike Helaman’s army.

Both the Lamanites and Helaman’s men waited for resupply from the government, but when it arrived, Helaman was greatly disappointed.

Before the resupply, we had roughly 2,060 soldiers, so imagine his disappointment when only 2,000 more arrived.

To put into perspective, if Helaman had 4,060 soldiers, the Lamanites had 40,060 soldiers.

That’s a staggering difference, enough to cause Helaman to tremble with fear.

As the scripture says, “And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we know not (Alma 58:9).”

Knowing that this would be their strength in numbers, Helaman decided to pray.

“Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.”

“Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him (Alma 58:11).”

Helaman went from being “filled with fear (Alma 58:9)” to “tak[ing] courage with [their] small force (Alma 58:12).”

What changed?

The amount of soldiers in Helaman’s army didn’t increase, so what caused him to be hopeful instead of fearful?

Prayer.

God promised He would deliver them, “insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause that we should hope for deliverance in him (Alma 58:11).”

Peace, assurance, hope and faith are what made all the difference, not a larger resupply of weapons and men.

Often times we pray for more resupply (money, opportunity, food, etc.) only to realize the answer to our prayer comes in the form of peace and deliverance.

The enabling and strengthening power of the atonement of Jesus Christ does not give us more resupply in a literal sense, but rather a spiritual sense that can only be perceived with eyes of faith.

Peace, hope and faith may not be the answer these brave men had hoped for in the midst of turmoil and battle, however, it’s precisely what they needed in order to strengthen their faith for the cause of freedom.

Likewise, we may pray for deliverance, but in a similar fashion, we may receive feelings of peace rather than further resupply (peace is your resupply).

Your ability to act and impact your circumstances, rather than waiting for someone or something to change them for you, is precisely the growth you need to become faithful, hopeful and confident in the Lord, along with yourself.

“Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey (Let Us All Press On).”

Like these brave men fighting to protect their families and their liberty, what you may need is courage, not confidence, and such courage comes from knowing “the Lord is on our side.”