God's Will In Suffering

There's no doubt, suffering could erode or deepen our trust in God.

Notice the language Peter uses:
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV) Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

You could say 1 Peter is the Job of the New Testament just like Ephesians is the Deuteronomy Joshua of the New Testament.  Peter is the answer to many of Job's questions.  

Sometimes, it is God's will that we should suffer.  What is our response?  

Do we demand answers?

Do we look for a quick resolution?

Do we whine and cry?

Do we give up?

No.  We entrust our soul to a "faithful Creator."

Peter harkens back to the idea of God as Creator.  Interestingly, only here in the New Testament (1 Peter 4:19) is God called "Creator."  Think Peter is saying something???

He's saying:

God is the architect of this universe.  His design and details are what matters.  Sometimes, suffering for the name of Christ is what He orders.  Trust Him.  There is no doubt Peter is harkening back to the questions God poses to Job at the end of his ordeal.  How often God asked Job about things He created long before Job every saw the light of day.

Second, He is a faithful creator.  I think of the things God mentions to Job that no one even sees.  The creative elements of God's Universe that seem to do nothing of great notoriety, yet He has a purpose in them.  A purpose for which they were made in the audience of His glorification.

Third, we are to entrust our SOULS to Him.  This is what Jesus said was more valuable than the whole world.  God is in the SOUL re-creation business.  Trust Him with the results especially when the heat is turned up.

That's how you keep yourself from eroding.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to do good.  And help me to see the opportunity to do good even when the time doesn't feel right.  Help meto look at people who are far from you as an opportunity to do good.  May my life be a reflection of your compassion.