Over the past few weeks the men’s group I lead has been discussing a few verses in 1 Peter 4:12-19. It seems that much of Peter’s letter to the brothers and sisters in Asia Minor is about suffering and standing up under persecution. It is clear that Peter is echoing the words of Jesus in this letter, particularly Matthew 5:10-12. In studying scriptures like 1st Peter I grow even more convinced of God’s inspiration of the scriptures. As Peter is encouraging these early Christians to stand up under the persecution they were facing he uses a strategic word to awake them to God’s detailed involvement in their lives. In verse 19 he writes, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (emphasis mine).” He could have referred to God as the “faithful Father” or “provider” however, I believe he chose “creator” on purpose. Could it be that Peter, living in the first century and with his limited education, knew through the Holy Spirit that the world around us was designed by a creator who was in the details? With modern science we know that the created order sits on razors edge. It is the culmination of countless details falling right in place to make our bodies survive and our planet habitable. Peter draws upon the image of a creator to encourage these followers of Jesus to trust that creator and continue to do good. It is our inclination to believe in the midst of suffering we have been abandoned by God but this strategically chosen word reminds us that He is right in the middle of all our suffering working and leading us to do good.