In the provided quotations, it can be said that the higher powers in these texts are perceived not so much as interfering in the minutiae of daily life, but rather as having established an order within which suffering is an integral part of existence.

Divine Order in Suffering and Salvation

In the provided quotations, it can be said that the higher powers in these texts are perceived not so much as interfering in the minutiae of daily life, but rather as having established an order within which suffering is an integral part of existence. On the one hand, human torment and suffering are described as necessary for the knowledge of good and evil, as an indispensable part of life in this three-dimensional world. Thus, one of the texts (source: link txt) states:
"They say that without this, man could not live on earth, for he would not have known good and evil.

But why should one come to know this damn good and evil when it costs so much?

After all, the entire world of knowledge is not worth a child's tears for the 'Little God.' 'I torture you, Alyoshka,' Ivan adds with pain, 'as if you’re out of your mind. I will stop if you want me to.' 'No, I want to suffer too.'"
This emphasizes that suffering permeates all of existence; it is a fundamental component of human being through which one comes to know the world and its contradictions.

On the other hand, hope for protection and salvation during difficult times is still present through the belief that the higher power, governing life and death, is capable of ensuring that events unfold justly. This is reflected, for example, in the reasoning from another text (source: link txt):
"At every service, we beg the Lord for a 'respectable and peaceful' Christian end to our lives. Of course, we would like it to be 'painless'; however, by surrendering ourselves and our entire lives to Christ, we rely on His will. He alone is the Master of life and death (1 Samuel 2:6), 'in His hand is the soul of every living thing and the spirit of all flesh' (Job 12:10). When our time comes, He will call us to Himself, and no one else has the right to decide in place of God that the hour has struck."
Thus, even if suffering is inevitable, people find comfort in the belief that their lives and their end are controlled by a higher power who, according to these words, pays attention to everyone and, in due time, grants salvation.

Additional confirmation of the idea that higher powers can protect people in difficult times is provided by a historical example from the text (source: link txt). Here, the role of the holy martyr Ermoogen is described, whose blessing and pastoral word played a decisive role in uniting the people against external subjugation. His example underscores that even in moments of despair, the influence of higher powers is manifested through outstanding individuals endowed with spiritual authority and the ability to lead people to overcome adversity.

Thus, the concept of higher powers presented in these materials is such that suffering is an inseparable facet of life through which a person comes to understand the world and his or her place in it. The hope for human protection lies in the conviction that it is the higher power, controlling life and death, who is capable of leading everyone to final salvation and righteousness, and who acts through emblematic figures, calling humanity to persevere and believe.