The Lord Grows His People Through Trials.

The word "suffering" appears 16 times in the book of 1 Peter. The recipients of the letter came from different backgrounds and were facing the difficulty of persecution. Peter emphasizes God's grace as the only thing that helps in such times. It helps us stand firm and endure (1 Peter 5:12).

G. Campbell Morgan says about 1 Peter 4:19, "This closing affirmation of the letter inserted parenthetically startles, demands attention, and compels a consideration of the message in light of what it says. This is the grace of God, so let's stand in it."

Identity

The audience of this verse is identified as "those who suffer." When a person is saved, his or her life changes, and people around them choose how to respond. Some choose to walk away. This creates a unique pain for believers.

Believers can experience difficulty in the workplace because of their testimony (1 Peter 2:13-25). Any hardship is "according to the will of God," whether it's because of one's testimony or simply for the purpose of developing maturity. This book helps us know how saints endure in those circumstances.

Opportunity

Our response to suffering is not lethargy but taking action. To "entrust their souls" means to commit or to place into God's care our whole person, not merely the situation. This is part of becoming one with Christ. Once we know God's grace to save us, the same grace enables us to live for His glory.

James 1:2-4 tells us to view trials as an opportunity, not an obstacle.

We can entrust our persons to God's care because He is a faithful Creator. He is omnipotent and immutably reliable and dependable. He intends times of difficulty to develop us as persons in the Body and transform us into the likeness of His Son.

Activity

Blaise Pascal said, "The power of a man's virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doing." Our light shines brighter in dark times (Ephesians 2:10, James 2:26, Galatians 6:10).

"Doing right" in this verse is a single Greek word. It is a noun describing a state of being, especially doing good that benefits others (1 Timothy 6:18).

Paul David Tripp said, "Your purpose in life is to make the invisible presence of Christ visible in the lives of others. You are the look on Christ’s face. You are the tone of his voice. You are the touch of his hands. You are the physical representative of his grace. This is your mission in every situation, location, and relationship of your life—to make the grace of the invisible King visible."

Let's continue to do this with each other in the body of Christ and with those in our community!

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Genesis 3, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 – The origin and purpose of suffering.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 1 John 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-26 – Our Faithful Creator.

A Hymn to Encourage: "As Long As You Are Glorified"

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night

So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You

^{Music and words by Mark Altrogge. © 2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).}