Depositing Your Life in God's Bank

October 12th, 2025
by Dr. Josh Franklin

"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." - 1 Peter 4:19 (NKJV)

The word "commit" here is like depositing money in a bank. We deposit money to keep it secure and safe. Peter is saying, "Commit yourself to God. Place yourself in God's hands."

Norman Geisler said this: "The solution to suffering is submission to sovereignty." God is God, and you are not.

There's nothing wrong with asking God to deliver you. Paul asked three times, "Remove this thorn from me." God responded, "My grace is sufficient for you." You might not get the answer you're hoping for, but it's okay to ask God to remove it.

You may not fully understand why you're suffering, but the answer is submission to sovereignty.

The three Hebrew children were told, "If you don't bow, you're going into the fiery furnace." They replied, "God is well able to deliver us from your hands, O king." That shows faith. Then they added, "But even if our God doesn't deliver us from the fire, we will not bow."

That's the mature Christian response. We pray in faith, asking God to do the miraculous, yet we still bow to His sovereign plan.

Notice Peter calls God "a faithful creator." The same God who created the universe, spoke stars into existence, and formed you in your mother's womb—He's holding you in His care, especially when you are suffering.

Reflection Question: What area of suffering do you need to give to God, trusting in His sovereignty, even if He doesn't change your circumstances?

Faithful God, today I choose to intentionally submit all my struggles, questions, pain, and concerns about the future to You. Help me to trust in Your faithfulness, even when I don't see the outcome. Grant me a mature faith like that of the Hebrew children, believing that You can deliver us while also submitting to Your perfect will. In Jesus' name, amen.

Adapted from "When the Heat is On": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/vczppxd/21-when-the-heat-is-on-1-peter-4-12-19