If There is a God, Why Does He Let People Suffer?

I have heard many people question why a God, a merciful and loving being, would let his children suffer. If he is God, why would he not step in and stop all suffering, make all people healthy, wealthy, and equal in every way possible. By this same line of thinking, if God loves everyone the same, he certainly would make everyone equal,

Rather, because there is an all-knowing, all-loving, and wholly-merciful God, he does let us experience good and bad. He allows us to learn by letting us experience sweet and bitter, pleasure and pain, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty, equality and inequality, strength and weakness, knowledge and ignorance, love and hate, good and evil. Without experiencing opposing feelings or situations, would it be possible for us, the children of God to truly know the difference?

Lehi, an ancient prophet in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ taught:

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.

13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. (2 Nephi 2:11 – 13)

So, without opposing forces in existence, the creating of the Earth and humankind would have been a waste of time, there would have been no reason for it to occur. Without sin there could not exist its diametric opposite, righteousness. What this all really means is if suffering or bad things did not exist there would not be a God. Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Because he is God, as the all-knowing being he knows the best way for us to have joy is by learning what is good as opposed to what is bad. Lehi also taught: “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). So God’s purpose is for us, his children, to have joy! But to have joy, we must learn what joy is, and the only way to learn what joy is is to experience the opposite of joy.

Elder Richard G. Scott, one of Jesus Christ’s Apostles on the Earth today said:

No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. (Trust in the Lord, Ensign, Nov 1995, 16).

Adversity or suffering is certainly biblical. The Proverb says: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth (Proverbs 3:11 – 12 KJV). Elder Scott also commented on this verse saying

Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain . . . Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love. (Trust in the Lord, Ensign, Nov 1995, 16).

It is clear from the words of this Apostles of Jesus Christ that experiences of bad things that happen to us are for our good, that God and Jesus Christ know exactly how much adversity we need in our lives to grow to our full potential and that is exactly what they bless us with.

What each of us chooses to do with our trials is up to us. We can choose to be bitter or choose to endure them well, learning from them. Often, what happens to me is I look back and learn even more, because as I gain more experience in life, I am able to better understand the impact and benefit particular trials have had on me and continue to have on me. I know that I have a Father in Heaven, who is God, who loves me and knows what is best for me. I know that Jesus Christ is his son, a separate being, who atoned for my sins and was resurrected so I can be forgiven of my sins and my body and spirit can be reunited again one day, so I can live in the eternities with God, Jesus Christ, and my family. I know this is true because the third distinct personage in the Godhead, the Holy Ghost has testified of it to me. I share this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why I Believe in Christ, Part 1

I've noticed I probably get more hits to my post "My Favorite Hymn—I Believe in Christ" than anything else I've written on this blog. Yet all I did was post the lyrics. I think several of my next posts will describe exactly why I believe in Christ and why this hymn is true. First, let me start with the author, Bruce R. McConkie. Watch the two videos below. They are his final talk given to the general body of the church in April of 1985 entitled "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane". You may also read it here.





I feel the Holy Spirit testifying to me as Elder McConkie speaks that his words are true. This is the same Spirit I feel when I hear or read the words of the hymn "I Believe in Christ". I testify this is one of the many witnesses I have received that Jesus is the Christ. It is also one of the many witnesses I have received that Jesus Christ has apostles on the Earth today, that in the same pattern as Matthias was called to join the original 11 apostles after Judas had fallen in Acts 1:24-26 (KJV), new apostles are called today, the most recent being Elder Quentin L. Cook, who was called as an apostle of Jesus Christ in October 2007.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know he has special witnesses of his mission and divinity on this Earth today. They are his apostles, in the same mold as his apostles of old. I know Jesus Christ was literally resurrected, that he has a body of flesh and bones. I share this in his name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

A New Prophet, Seer, and Revelator

I love how the next President of our church is chosen seamlessly, without politicking. It has been decided in this manner since the Lord reveled how the next President should be when Brigham Young succeed the Prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith.

The new President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has also been set apart as and is a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, is Thomas Spencer Monson. Just the other day I read something President Monson said in June of 2004 that is now written on the whiteboard in my office because of its business application: “When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates.”

I know this is a true principle. It applies to our own accountability in our church assignments. This principle applies in our personal lives. I have found I am more likely to exercise and lift weights when I measure and record exactly what I do each day. This principle applies to work. Transparency to others in one’s performance always leads to an improved performance.

I know Thomas S. Monson is called of God. I am thankful to have a living prophet who leads and guides this church, who clarifies doctrine in a confused world filled with the philosophies of men, and who receives revelation from God in my behalf and in behalf of over other inhabitant of this Earth. I know this is true because I have done as we are invited to do in James 1:5 (KJV) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

I have asked God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. We do have living prophets on this Earth today. Thomas S. Monson is one of these prophets. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

An Apostle Teaches Us About Goal Setting

One of the of Jesus Christ’s modern day Twelve Apostles has taught us how to achieve significant results in our lives:

“I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life.”
-Elder M. Russell Ballard in a talk given to Salt Lake Area Young Adults, October 18, 1981.

I have learned in both the professional and personal spheres that goal setting is a vital key to success. We can proactively make goals in every aspect and sub-aspect of our lives that we want to stretch our abilities or results in. When I constantly push myself for more, I always achieve more. When I do not push myself, I always achieve much less. I testify that this is a true principle, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Raising My Children

For some time my wife and I have prayed to learn how to better raise our children. We do not know the best ways to teach or discipline them and our oldest child seems to defy us at every opportunity. In addition, I feel like I have not been as much of a help to my wife as I can be because I am so wrapped up in my studies.

However, one thing that has really enhanced my graduate studies, which are far more intense than my undergraduate studies ever were, has been my attendance at the Institute of Religion. On the first day of Book of Mormon class the teacher suggested that the answers to all of life’s questions can be found within the pages of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Obviously, this is much more a figurative statement than a literal statement. I believed what that teacher spoke.

That evening, truly by coincidence—for I was not thinking of what I had heard earlier in the day—my wife and I began again reading the Book of Mormon with our children before they went to bed. This night was much different than past attempts. My oldest child is in first grade and was able to read about ninety percent of the words. She really was into it! I felt the Holy Ghost descend upon us in my children’s room and it filled my soul! I then remembered the statement by the teacher earlier in the day. Now I do not have to say “let’s read the Book of Mormon” before the kids go to bed. My children bring the book to us without being prompted. My six year old is excited to read every night. This is the only book she is excited to read each and every day. I believe this is because how she feels when she reads. She may not understand it at this age, but the Holy Ghost is truly testifying to her the truth of God’s words and it makes her happy!

For the three weeks since we began reading the Book of Mormon as a family, our house has become more peaceful and loving. We are kinder to each other and more will to serve. The teaching and discipline problems have seemingly disappeared. There is a direct correlation to our family reading the Book of Mormon together and happiness in our home.

I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the answers to all of our questions and concerns can be found through its study, either by scripture that applies directly or through the blessings we receive by reading it. My family is closer because of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This truly is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

The Power of God

I was struck by something I saw on television the other day while I was flipping through channels. A well known evangelist was answer questions that had been submitted to him. One question was: “The Bible says Adam lived until he was 930 years old. Should that be taken figuratively or literally?” The evangelist chuckled and said something to the effect of “of course it should be taken literally.” He then gave several reasons why he thought Adam would have lived 930 years including a lack or air pollution and processed foods. However, I was amazed that this man, who proclaims to be a man of God, did not cite the power of God as a reason, if not the reason, Adam was able to live for nearly 1,000 years!

This reminded me of what Jesus Christ taught the Prophet Joseph Smith when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet. In response to the 14 year old boy Joseph Smith’s question of which church should he join, he was told by the Savior that he “must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: ‘they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof’” (Pearl of Great Price | JS-History 1:19, emphasis added).

The last part of the Savior’s words is what really stood out in my mind. “Having a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.” This is precisely what this evangelist was doing. I think he sincerely does try to be godly and have a form of godliness, I truly do. However, by not acknowledging the power of God in allowing Adam live 930 years, he seemed to not have faith in God’s power and ability to do all, in other words, he “denied the power thereof”.

I know that the power of God is real. I know that God and Jesus Christ did appear to the boy Joseph Smith and teach him many eternal truths. I know that anything God desires can and will be accomplished. Sometimes God’s means seem to be the natural way of doing things on this Earth, other times God’s means are the supernatural. However, it matters not how God’s will is accomplished; only that it always is done. The Savior taught the Prophet Joseph Smith that “the works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught“ (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 3:1). The will of our Father in Heaven will be done. I know this to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Isaiah in the Book of Mormon

A few weeks ago a good friend told me of a discovery he had made while studying the scriptures. In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ he read 2 Nephi 12:15-16, which are two of the approximately 433 verses of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon. They read:

And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall; And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

This contrasts Isaiah 2:15-16 which says:

And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

This begs the questions, where did the phrase in the Book of Mormon “upon all the ships of the sea” get added from? I do not pretend to be a scholar. However, my friend is an excellent one. He told me he decided to read the passage in the oldest version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint. There the phrase “upon all the ships of the sea” is present.

As the Septuagint is written in Greek and I cannot read Greek, I had to take my friend’s word that this was true. However, soon thereafter I received two other witnesses of the same truth. Sidney B. Sperry confirmed my friend’s account in his book, The Voice of Israel’s Prophets. Sperry wrote:

Scholars may suggest that Joseph Smith took the first phrase from the Septuagint. The prophet did not know Greek, and there is no evidence that he had access to a copy of the Septuagint in 1829-1830 when he translated the Book of Mormon. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book 1965, pp. 90-91, qtd. in Bassett Commentaries on Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, pg. 68).

Thirty two years after Sperry, in 1997, Terry B. Ball also found where the Book of Mormon matched the Septuagint, adding words upon the King James Version of the Bible. Ball commented:

One can offer several speculations about why both phrases appear in the Book of Mormon. (1) Perhaps Joseph Smith fabricated the Book of Mormon and somehow had access to the Septuagint. Discovering there was a discrepancy between the Septuagint and the Masoretic texts of the passage, he decided to include both text versions in the Book of Mormon to deceive readers into thinking he was actually translating a more complete ancient record, that is, the gold plates; or (2) maybe while Joseph Smith was fabricating the Book of Mormon he accidentally, by chance, inserted into the Book of Mormon the very phrase left out of the Masoretic text; or (3) while the Prophet Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon from the gold plates by the gift and power of God, he translated the phrase “upon all the ships of the sea and upon all the ships of Tarshish” because that is exactly what the record said. Both phrases were on the gold plates Joseph Smith was translating because the brass plates of pre-600 B.C. origin, from which the gold plates text was taken, were a more ancient and complete text than either the Masoretic text (ca. A.D. 500-1000) or the Septuagint (ca. 250 B.C.). Apparently the Septuagint had lost the phrase “the ships of Tarshish” and the Masoretic text had lost the phrase “the ships of the sea.” The Book of Mormon restores both.

From a purely logical point of view, the last option, option 3, is the only tenable one. From personal conviction, I testify that option 3 is the truth. (Voices of Old Testament Prophets; The 26^th Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book 1997, p. 59, qtd. in Bassett Commentaries on Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, pg. 69).

I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith was a true Prophet. I know that through him Christ’s church, exactly as it was when he walked this Earth, has been restored. I know that God cannot lie and that what his servant Paul, the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians is true: “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 13:1). Not only does God provide us with truth, he gives us personal revelation if we ask on his word, and he gives us two or three witnesses. Heavenly Father certainly is merciful, kind, and good. I love him and am thankful to be his son, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Better Life Though Jesus Christ

Last week I reread The Great and Terrible Volume 1. It is a fictional account of what the life before this could have been like. As I read, it struck me that Satan is now simply trying to do exactly as he presented in his plan during the pre-Earth life—to take away our agency and give all glory to him.

One of Satan’s tools is addiction. He strives to get us deeply involved in alcohol, pornography, pride, or whichever sins we are most susceptible to. In time, we can become so weakened that it can seem as if there is no way out. The sin controls our life and it seems as if we no longer can choose for ourselves. The alcohol or drugs seemingly make our choices for us. We then can feel as if we have lost our agency, as we repeat or enter deeper into sin. As we sin, and seemingly lose our agency we are giving Satan his victory, which was his plan in the beginning as it is now.

Fortunately, we always have a choice. Heavenly Father has provided us with our agency so that we may always choose. If we trust in the Savior, Jesus Christ, we can be delivered from any pain, suffering, or addiction. The atonement Christ made for us covers it all. Forgiveness of our sins is certainly one way we receive grace from God. Of course, we must do our part, we must work at it. However, when have done all that we can do, our elder brother Jesus Christ steps in and covers the rest.

I am so thankful for my older brother Jesus Christ. I know that he knows me personally, probably better than I know myself. He knows what motivates me, what frustrates me, and most importantly he knows my potential. I know the Savior lives. I know he suffered and died for my sins and was resurrected on the third day so I could live again. Like everyone else, I do not remember when happened in the life before this, but I am so thankful and grateful that I choose our Heavenly Father’s plan so that I could be here on this Earth. I testify of Christ and of our eternal nature and the eternal structure of the family of mankind in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Importance of Marriage

As my youngest brother is to be married next month, I have been thinking quite a bit about marriage and my perspective on it. I look at marriage as part of how I am saved in the kingdom of God.

As a Latter-day Saint, my view on being “saved” is much different than it is for many other Christians. (Also see this talk by Dallin H. Oaks about Mormons and being saved.) Yes, I absolutely and wholeheartedly accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, King, Lord, and Advocate. I have a personal relationship with him. But this is not all that is necessary to be saved. There are several saving ordinances that must performed here on this Earth by someone with the proper Priesthood authority directly from Heavenly Father, not from a university. These saving ordinances begin with baptism by immersion and finishing with being sealed in marriage for time and all eternity. In so doing we make covenants not only with each other but with our Heavenly Father. When we live up to what we agree to, Heavenly Father blesses us with the greatest of all promises: our family will be together as one unit throughout eternity.

It is because of these commitments I have made to Heavenly Father and my beautiful wife that marriage is such a serious commitment to me. If hard times come upon us, I know I will do everything I can to preserve our marriage and my relationships with my children. I do not believe that marriage is something to be trifled with. Marriage truly is the most serious of commitments and with that commitment there is great joy to be had. I have not known happier times that I have had with my wife and my children. Certainly we have had tough times and we will continue to have tough times. However, we have endured difficulties in the past and we will continue to endure them in the future. As a whole, marriage and family are the most wonderful blessings Heavenly Father has given us.

The living prophet Gordon B. Hinckley presented the Church with “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This inspired document’s first paragraph proclaims that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

I love my wife and my two children very, very much. I know that our bond is stronger, our commitment is greater, and our ability to remain as one family unit is exceptional because of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. I know that we can be a family forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Master and Savior. Amen.

Avoiding Temptation

Today I felt the talks in Sacrament Meeting were excellent. They were both on “avoiding temptation.” Both speakers gave many examples of why it is better to avoid temptation rather than taking it head on. Several stories were related including this one related in a talk by Elder Robert B. Harbertson:

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley. There he fasted, and on the third day he decided to test himself against the mountain. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders, and set off to climb the peak.

When he reached the top, he could see forever, and his heart swelled with joy. Then he heard a rustle at his feet. Looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: “I am about to die. It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food, and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”

“Oh, no,” said the youth. “I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and I will die.”

“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”

The youth withstood for a while, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly, the snake coiled, rattled, and struck, biting him on the leg.

“But you promised—” cried the youth.

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away.

I really like this story. In my life it certainly seems like when I have reached a peak there is some temptation that looks enticing. However, no matter how enticing it looks, I know what it is and what the consequences of following the temptation are. Sin is sin. The consequences do not change for anyone, though it may involve a different period of time for the consequences to manifest themselves for each person.

A better question might be: “How do we avoid temptation?” rather than simply stating: “avoid temptation” and hoping it all works out. Fortunately, the answer is found in the scriptures. Alma, in the 13^th chapter 28^th verse of the Book of Mormon wrote: “But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering”

I see several important points in this verse. First is “that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord”. It is important to prepare to speak with the Lord (though this does not mean we should avoid speaking with the Lord until we are justly prepared, then we might never pray!). I certainly am not going to go before my boss with a problem or my findings without preparation. He knows I can do better and I will have not used either of our time wisely. I think the same applies to our Father in Heaven. When we are prepared to speak with our Father in Heaven, we will get the most out of it.

After preparing, we are then ready to “call on his holy name”. Our Father in Heaven is literally our father and is concerned about our everyday life. He does not want us to succumb to temptation.

Once we have prayed, Alma tells us not to stop there but rather to “watch and pray continually”. It is important to pray, but the fact that “watch” comes before “pray” seems significant to me. Our Father in Heaven certainly loves us and is entirely willing to help us. However, we must do our part. In fact, we must do all that we can. As we all will be saved, or resurrected, however where we go once our body and spirit have been restored depends upon our works. James taught: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (New Testament | James 2:26).

So once we have done our part, defined by Alma as: humbling ourselves, praying, watching continually, and praying continually, then we are promised a great bounty of blessings:

1. That ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear
2. To be led by the Holy Spirit
3. Humility
4. Meekness
5. Submissiveness
6. Patience
7. Filled with love
8. Long-suffering

This is what I love about this scripture. When we do our part, not only are we blessed with not being tempted about what we can bear, but we are richly blessed abundantly with God-like qualities. This world would change so greatly if everyone sought humility, meekness, submissiveness, patience, long-suffering, and to be filled with love.

The Apostle Paul gave a more visual representation of how to avoid temptation. In his epistle to the Ephesians he wrote:

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins ^agirt about with ^btruth, and having on the ^cbreastplate of ^drighteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of ^apeace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of ^afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery ^bdarts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of ^asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (New Testament | Ephesians 6:13 - 17)

When we do as Alma taught, humbling ourselves and watching and praying continually, we literally arm ourselves to resist temptation. We are prepared for a situation that may have been unavoidable when we will be tempted. This is paramount because such a situation will absolutely occur!

In the Book of Mormon there are many wars. One of the great leaders of the people of Christ’s Church was Captain Moroni. He often used strategy to completely avoid fighting battles in war. In Alma 55 Captain Moroni had wine delivered to guards holding his people captive. Once the guards were drunken and asleep, Captain Moroni’s people threw weapons over the wall to his imprisoned people. In the morning when the guards awoke, they were forced to release the

ir prisoners. Thus Captain Moroni avoided any bloodshed by having a strategy or a plan. We can also strategize to avoid temptation. By creating a plan of how we might avoid situations where we might be compromised, we can instead be free from sin and draw closer to God!

Another strategy Captain Moroni used was to improve his cities with weaker defenses to be

ing exceptionally strong. In Chapter 49 Alma tells us how Moroni took the City of Noah, “the weakest part of the land” and made it one of the strongest cities held by his people. This vast improvement was accomplished through the work of improvement.

I know we can make those things that are weak in our lives become our strengths. I testify of it. Although it is certainly not easy, piece by piece, brick upon brick, it is possible. For it is written: “How great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!: (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:13).

This begs the question, how do we change so that we might avoid temptation and so weaknesses can become our strengths? There is one place we can always go for the help we need. This song, I Need Thee Every Hour continues to come to me. I know there are answers within its lyrics:

1. I need thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.

[Chorus]
I need thee, oh, I need thee;
Ev’ry hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee!

2. I need thee ev’ry hour;
Stay thou nearby.
Temptations lose their pow’r
When thou art nigh.

3. I need thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain.
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.

4. I need thee ev’ry hour,
Most holy One.
Oh, make me thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!

I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know me and every other person more personally than we likely can even comprehend. I know Jesus Christ will be there when we are in need, especially to avoid temptation and we look to him. I say this, knowing it is truth, in all humility, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.