Doctrine and Covenants 127: 2-4

 

How have you seen how the Lord is sustaining you in the “deep water” of your life."

"2 And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it.

3 Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.

4 And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven." (Doctrine and Covenants 127: 2-4)

And here's the commentary entitled: "I can rely on the Lord during difficult times." :

"False accusations and the threat of arrest had again forced Joseph Smith into hiding in August 1842. And yet the words he wrote to the Saints during this time (now Doctrine and Covenants 127) are full of optimism and joy. What do verses 2–4 teach you about God? about facing ridicule or opposition? What phrases from these verses might help you when you feel persecuted? Consider recording how the Lord is sustaining you in the “deep water” of your life."

 Here's what I learned about God in verses 2–4 :

• God knoweth all things.
• He delivered His servants and continues to deliver them from their tribulations. 
• He wants all the saints to rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.
• He wants His servants whom He has appointed to continue on and not cease doing His work in the temple. 
• He wants His servants to let their diligence, and their perseverance, and patience, and their works be redoubled, and they shall in nowise lose their reward.

These are the phrases from these verses that might help me when I feel down because of my tribulations or when I feel persecuted:

• God knoweth all these things
• Glory in tribulation
• To this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth
• I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it
• Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel’s God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors
• Let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward.

I've seen how the Lord has been and is continually sustaining me in the “deep water” of life. He has been delivering me from my tribulations. I've been able to triumph over all my enemies. He's been ordering things for my good. Everything is happening for my own good. I've been learning and growing to become my better version because of my own afflictions. He's making things happen for me as I turn to Him for help. He is guiding me as I strive to reach my full potential. He is leading the way for me. He is helping me to turn my weaknesses into strengths.