Art thou greater than He?"

"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us. Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs. Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."

As I read the prophet's pleadings in these verses, I'm struck how much they can apply to current events. Unlawful oppressions are on every hand. I can't help the feeling that at any minute the show will drop--then what sort of trouble will we be in? How long will this go on before God helps? Or is this the last time?

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;

thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He?"

There is peace in knowing God and that there is life beyond that which we experience on Earth. Jesus was not immune to trials and sufferings on Earth; neither will I escape unscathed. As I choose well or not, I choose to accept the consequences of those choices. With the Atonement of Christ, my sins will be forgiven and I will be given His grace to endure adversity and afflictions. Whether in a rude prison or lofty mansion, I decide who I follow.