Suffering and hardships are some of the few things that all people, across the world, have in common. Both the wealthy and poor get sick; the powerful and weak face hardship; literate and illiterate suffer; the Christian and the non-Christian suffer. Like everyone else, suffering makes us question the goodness of God. Some have left the faith because of suffering. And many Christians, myself included, can attest to how the challenges in our lives have tested their faith in God.
Many Christians can attest to how the challenges in their lives have tested their faith in God.
Many passages, and in some cases entire books, speak to the reality of suffering. Strikingly, none of them raise questions about God’s sovereign power. In fact, many attribute suffering to God. One such passage is 1 Peter 1:1-5. This article is a brief study of that text, which reveals that there is much to learn about both God and ourselves in through hardships and suffering.
Originally written to what Peter calls “exiles” (1 Peter 1:1), our reality is not very different. So we need Peter’s words of encouragement for the troubles we’ll face and a grander vision of God within them. As one book puts it, we are also “sojourning in a strange place, away from one’s own people.” Our faith sets us apart and onto a new path. And this path is not free from suffering.
Suffering and God’s Foreknowledge
We might draw many lessons from 1 Peter 1:1-5. But I’m seeking to show what we can learn about God in the suffering of his people. The first thing we learn from Peter is that our exile is happening “according to the foreknowledge of God (1 Peter 1:2). The exile might have resulted from Roman oppression and persecution for the 1st century Christians, yet Peter locates it within God’s purposes.
Peter situates suffering in all that God planned to accomplish, before the creation.
Most of us don’t like to hear this. Peter’s original audience definitely wouldn’t have. They had lost homes and maybe even loved ones because of their faith. They were living in foreign lands and battling to start new lives. Yet Peter assures them with the truth that their situation wasn’t outside of God’s awareness, but rather in accordance with his foreknowledge. He rooted their suffering within all that God knows, not excluding the future. By speaking of God’s foreknowledge, Peter situates their suffering in all that God planned to accomplish, before the creation.
Even their exile was a part of God’s will. That is, he didn’t simply know about it. He allowed it to occur, even though he possesses the power to stop it. Though not always immediately encouraging or reassuring, Peter tells suffering Christians that their situation is within God’s sovereign hands. It isn’t outside of his awareness. Nor is it beyond his ability to end. Thus whatever it is we’re facing, it isn’t outside of God’s foreknowledge or power.
God’s Fatherly Affection for Sufferers
Unfortunately, one of the things suffering does in a Christian’s heart is make us question God’s intentions: Does he still love me? Is God angry with me? Suffering quickly leads to doubt. It raises questions over God’s goodness. The knowledge that suffering is within God’s foreknowledge might actually compound those questions. This is why, I believe, Peter refers to the fatherhood of God (1 Peter 1:2). The one who has his hand in our suffering is the same God who’s tender and fatherly hand cares for us.
Suffering quickly leads to doubt. It raises questions over God’s goodness.
Now, the Bible has many titles for God. These include but are not limited to King (1 Timothy 6:15), Lord (Deuteronomy 10:17), Judge (Isaiah 33:22), and consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). But here, Peter chose to call God “Father.” I believe he did this as a reminder to his readers of the fatherly affection God has toward them.
Their exile does not in any way reflect how God feels about them. It isn’t indicative of indifference. They still enjoy him as their heavenly Father. By calling God their “Father,” Peter is dispelling questions about God’s feelings towards his suffering children. God wasn’t judging them. Nor is he judging you, when you face all sorts of trials and hardships. His fatherly love and affection remains.
Let Suffering Steer You Towards God
Most of the above won’t be easy for many readers to accept. Especially those who are suffering. Yet Peter insists that suffering is a means of faith strengthening, even as it is a testing. So after his introduction (1 Peter 1:1-2), he declares: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3). Only this is more than an exclamation; it’s an exhortation. He urges his readers to do the same. To praise God their Father as he works out his foreknowledge in their lives.
Despite their suffering (1 Peter 1:6), the apostle wants them not to forget that God is good and gracious in their salvation (1 Peter 1:3-5). He is at work while tending to them as an affectionate Father. Though we might not know what it is he’s doing, we must resist the urge to curse him—the opposite of blessing.
Peter doesn’t command that they bless him because of their exile, but urges them to remember his mercy.
But the exhortation to bless and praise God in exile doesn’t only appear strange but is incredibly difficult. So we must consider why Peter insists that suffering Christians adopt this attitude. He doesn’t command that they bless him because of their exile. No. Rather he urges them to remember his mercy (1 Peter 1:3, 6). Our salvation doesn’t shield us from suffering. And Christians shouldn’t pretend that their lives aren’t difficult, full of struggles. We are, after all, in exile. However, Peter points his readers to something greater; something they can rejoice in; and praise God for. That is their salvation in Jesus Christ. This is the trust indicator of how God feels about his people.
Your Father Knows What You’re Going Through
The Christian always has a reason to speak well and praise God, even in their suffering.
Just a few remarks in closing. It is not easy hearing that “God knows” when you’re suffering. However, the way Peter used it in this passage reminds us that it is a good thing and an encouragement to believers. God isn’t ignorant of our suffering. Rather all hardship is in line with his foreknowledge. Furthermore, by reminding his readers of God’s fatherly affection, Peter completely reorientates our suffering. It doesn’t bring into question God’s love for us. He is still our good, loving, and attentive Father.
Finally, the Christian always has a reason to speak well and praise God, even in their suffering. That reason is God’s gracious salvation in Jesus Christ. God is merciful, to sinners like you and me.
