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Yielding to God's Purposes in Life and Suffering

Yielding to God's purposes involves a conscious submission to divine will, particularly evident in times of suffering and adversity. This concept is rooted in the understanding that God's will encompasses both the general direction of a believer's life and the specific trials encountered [1, 2, 6].

The Apostle Peter exhorts believers to commit their souls to God when suffering "according to the will of God," trusting Him as a "faithful Creator" [1, 3]. This implies that suffering is not always random but can be part of God's design, intended to chasten believers and prevent them from perishing with the world [13]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Peter 4:19, notes that understanding suffering as part of God's will should lead to patient endurance rather than complaint [11]. Adam Clarke adds that suffering "according to the will of God" refers to enduring for righteousness' sake without retaliating when reviled [10].

Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of yielding to God's purposes, even in the face of immense suffering. He voluntarily submitted to persecution and was patient under it [4]. His prayer in Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours be done," exemplifies this resignation to divine will [6]. The suffering of Christ is presented as a proof of the blessedness of suffering for well-doing, and believers are called to this same patient endurance of unmerited suffering [12, 14]. This shared experience with Christ includes knowing Him, experiencing the power of His resurrection, and also sharing in His sufferings and death [15].

Yielding to God's purposes extends beyond suffering to all aspects of life. It involves dedicating one's life not to human desires but to God's purpose [2]. This devotion is a characteristic of saints, grounded in God's mercies, goodness, and call, as well as in Christ's death, creation, preservation, and redemption [9]. Such devotion should be unreserved, abounding, and persevering, encompassing one's spirit, body, members, and substance [9].

The concept of resignation to God's will is commanded in scripture, as seen in passages like Psalm 37:7 and 46:10, which encourage quiet trust and knowing that God is sovereign [6]. This resignation should be exhibited in submission to God's will and sovereignty in His purposes, even in the face of death, loss of possessions, loss of children, chastisements, and bodily suffering [6]. The wicked, in contrast, are described as lacking this resignation [6].

Patience is a key component of yielding to God's purposes. God is identified as the "God of patience," and Christ is an example of it [7]. Believers are enjoined to cultivate patience, allowing it to have its "perfect work" [7]. Trials are understood to lead to patience, which in turn produces experience and hope [7]. This patience is to be exercised in "well-doing," running the race set before them, bringing forth fruit, and waiting for God and Christ [7].

Prayer is also an essential element in this process, especially during affliction. Believers are exhorted to pray under affliction, asking God to consider their trouble, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, for mitigation of troubles, and for deliverance [8]. They also pray for pardon and deliverance from sin, and for divine teaching and direction during these times [8]. The act of prayer itself is a form of submission, acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His intervention [5].

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 4:19 (Geneva1599) — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit their soules to him in well doing, as vnto a faithfull Creator.”
  2. I Peter “I Peter 4:2 (BBE) — So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh, not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God.”
  3. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 4:19 — Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
  10. 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 4:19: Suffer according to the will of God - A man suffers according to the will of God who suffers for righteousness' sake; and who, being reviled, reviles not again. Commit the keeping of their souls - Place their lives confidently in his hand, who, being their Creator, will also be their preserver, and keep that safely which is committed to his trust. God is here represented as faithful, because he will always fulfill his promises, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. But they had no reason to hope that he would care for their lives and souls unles”
  11. 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 4:19: Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God,.... This is the conclusion made from the foregoing premises; that seeing the state and condition of the saints in this world, at worst, and which is but for a time, is infinitely preferable to the dreadful state and condition of disobedient persons, ungodly men, and sinners, and which will endure to all eternity; they should not think strange of their sufferings, or complain of them, but patiently endure them; and especially when they consider that these are not the effects of chance, or merely owing to the”
  12. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:18: Confirmation of Pe1 3:17, by the glorious results of Christ's suffering innocently. For--"Because." That is "better," Pe1 3:17, means of which we are rendered more like to Christ in death and in life; for His death brought the best issue to Himself and to us [BENGEL]. Christ--the Anointed Holy One of God; the Holy suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust. also--as well as yourselves (Pe1 3:17). Compare Pe1 2:21; there His suffering was brought forward as an example to us; here, as a proof of the blessedness of suffering for well-doing. once-”
  13. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:19: General conclusion from Pe1 4:17-18. Seeing that the godly know that their sufferings are by God's will, to chasten them that they may not perish with the world, they have good reason to trust God cheerfully amidst sufferings, persevering in well-doing. let them--Greek, "let them also," "let even them," as well as those not suffering. Not only under ordinary circumstances, but also in time of suffering, let believers commit. (Compare Note, see on Pe1 3:14). according to the will of God--(See on Pe1 3:17). God's will that the believer should suffer”
  14. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
  15. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:10: 3:10 to know Christ: In knowing him, a person knows and is accepted by God (cp. 3:7-8; John 1:12-13; 17:3). • Believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Rom 6:4-14; 8:10-11; Col 3:1-4). • to suffer with him, sharing in his death: Joined to Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Phil 1:29; 2 Cor 4:10-12; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 4:13-16).”
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