Last weekend the speaker at our church was a former pastor of a congregation in Turkmenistan who, along with his family, had been persecuted, harassed and physically harmed by those who opposed the light he sought to bring to his “helpless and harassed” culture. He was imprisoned for his faith, eventually released because of international protests and petitions, and is now living in the Pacific Northwest ministering into his homeland through the Internet. This weekend I was reading an article about the persecuted church in a number of different places. And so it kind of sets me up for Peter’s exhortation this morning . . .

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

Reading that article this weekend provides, perhaps, some insight as to what these first century believers were experiencing. And to them Peter says, “Don’t be surprised by the fiery trial” (4:12) . . . “rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s suffering” (4:13) . . . “if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (4:16). Much easier to read than to imagine doing. Nevertheless, right perspectives, by the grace and power of God, result in right responses. Foundational beliefs impact day-to-day behaviors. And so, to these beat up believers, Peter says, We have “a faithful Creator”.

In the “small world” of their suffering for the name of Christ, Peter reminds them that their God is Creator. He is the maker of that small world and He is the Sovereign over the world in opposition to it. And, while it may not be intuitive as to the natural connection between their oppression and God’s glory, Peter encourages them to entrust their souls to the Founder of all things . . . for He is faithful.

In his letter Peter doesn’t deal with the “why” question of their suffering. And he doesn’t attempt to provide a plan of escape. Instead, holding up Christ as the example, he repeatedly strives to provide context . . . and, within that context, encourages a conduct befitting those who own Christ as Savior. And it comes down to what they believe about their God . . . and how that belief fuels the committing of their very beings to a faithful Creator.

And while no one’s going to include me, or the land where I live, in an article about the persecuted church, there is something in this letter which connects our trials and suffering with that of these “elect exiles of the Dispersion” (1:1).

And in that connection, I too am encouraged to entrust my soul to a faithful Creator. At the end of the day, regardless of the trial . . . apart from the circumstance of the struggle . . . my God is the faithful Creator. And in that, I can trust Him with the circumstance . . . I can draw strength from His abiding Spirit in the moment . . . I can rest in that fact that there will be a day of rejoicing “when His glory is revealed” (4:13).

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.   (Psalm 121:1-3 ESV)