“Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:19)
The final attitude we should have in facing trials and sufferings is that of entrusting ourselves to God.
Geoffrey Bull epitomizes the modern-day believer who entrusts his entire soul to God’s will in the middle of terrible suffering. Bull was punished with solitary confinement, brainwashing, many kinds of intimidation, and starvation during more than three years of imprisonment by the Communist Chinese forty years ago. During his affliction he prayed that God would help him remember Scriptures, realize His peace, and triumph over doubt, fear, loneliness, and fatigue. The final two lines of a poem he wrote summarize Bull’s complete trust in God’s plan and purpose: “And Thy kingdom, Gracious God, Shall never pass away.”
The term “entrust” is a banker’s expression meaning “to deposit for safekeeping.” Peter encourages all believers who experience trials and tribulations to give over their very lives (“souls”) to God’s care. The Lord is indeed “a faithful Creator” who made us. Therefore we can and should trust Him fully as the only one who is able to care for all our needs.
By this point Peter has assumed that his original readers, since many had endured persecution, knew what suffering was like. Therefore, he could also present the Lord as a sovereign God who could be trusted to do “what is right.” Because it is God’s will to allow suffering and trials in the lives of all believers, it is only logical that Peter exhorts us to entrust ourselves to Him during such times.
Peter’s instruction is also related to Romans 12:1, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual [or rational] service of worship.” Paul reminds us that it is much easier to react as we should to trials if we have already resolved, with God’s help, to entrust everything to Him. Then we can face with calm and confidence, rather than worry and fear, whatever God allows.
Review your commitment to God, and ask Him to bring to mind anything that you need to entrust wholly to Him; then by faith take that step.
Prayer
Lord, I commit myself to Your service, and I ask that You forgive me my sin and doubt. I ask that You increase my faith so that my faith in You is increased, and my faith in carrying Your Word to everyone I meet is strengthened. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
