I'm sitting at the kitchen table, facing my amazing husband. Both of us have our Bible's open before us, both of us meditating on His Word. My husband's depth of knowledge on everything constantly blows me away. Right now he's talking about 1 Samuel 15. Kyle keeps going back to GOD'S GREATNESS and HIS SOVEREIGNTY and how it's impossible for us to understand God's thoughts and God's ways because of our finite, sinful flesh. And then my wonderful, wise husband says this, "If God is not sovereign - how can we be sure of our salvation?" I'm going to take it a step further - "If God is not sovereign - how can we be sure of anything?"
This is a perfect segue into today's scripture in 1 Peter 3:1-6, "Likewise wives be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening."
Let's key in on a few things: 1. Author: Peter. What do we know of Peter? Every time I think of Peter I think of a rash man who did or said very little without thinking through it first. (Kinda like myself.) I also think of Christ's crucifixion when Peter denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed. The book of 1st and 2nd Peter reveal a matured Christian who understands his calling when Jesus told him that he is the rock on which Christ will build His church. Peter was given "... the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19) That's quite a hefty calling. Secondly, who is Peter writing this book to? "To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." (1 Peter 1:1) Exiles = persecuted Christians. They fled heavy persecution. They endured sorrows, beatings, insults... and yet Peter was telling them to stand firm in God's grace! What is the grace of God? Read chapter 1.
- So even if the government is persecuting you for your faith in Christ... Submit to them and stand firm in God's grace.
- Even if your master (he was talking to slaves) mistreat you... Submit to them and stand firm in God's grace.
- Even if your husband doesn't provide, protect, nourish and cherish you perfectly day in and day out... Submit to him and stand firm in God's grace.
In other words, oh-privileged-Americans-who-can-study-the-Bible-without-fear, we do not have it as bad as Jesus OR THE AUDIENCE OF 1 PETER, so how much more should we glorify God in all that we do!
We are called to be imitators of Christ. We can in no way relate to the audience of Peter and I can in no way relate to women who do not have a husband like the one I mentioned in my first paragraph. I call him my Zeus because this man looks like the greek statues... fit and strong and capable of performing any physical task to perfection. PLUS, this man is unnaturally smart. His depth of knowledge blows me away daily. I could brag on him and the way he treats his family daily. But Peter is telling us, that even if you can't do that, you should. Go back to 1 Peter 3:1-6, "Likewise wives be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening."
Let's dive into this verse with the background knowledge we talked about (author, audience, purpose) and do not forget yesterday's lesson - your attitude is important:
- Like Christ we are called to submit. (Day 19)
- Like Christ we are called to be respectful. (Day 20)
- Like Christ we are called to act and speak with pure conduct. (Day 22)
- Like Christ we are to entrust ourselves to HIM and as a result we will have a gentle and quiet spirit. And we will not fear anything that is frightening! If we trust God our souls are at rest and therefore we have nothing to worry about, our spirit is sure in one thing: our hope of salvation for everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Day 3)
So no matter what curve ball life throws us - we are steady. The drama of this world does not affect our emotional state, because GOD IS SOVEREIGN. We can continue to rest in the gospel knowing that no matter what happens here THIS IS NOT OUR HOME. As a result of that knowledge we can joyfully and with thanksgiving, serve those around us, including a non-believing, or believing husband.
If God knows your trust is entirely in HIM, He finds that beautiful.
If God knows your trust is entirely in HIM, He finds that beautiful.
So today I am challenging you to embrace your femininity! Peter tells us that God sees a gentle and quiet spirit as very precious. Do you know why? Because that means our foundation is Jesus Christ and that we understand God's sovereignty; as a result our hearts, and minds, and souls are at rest IN HIM ALONE. There is nothing of this world that can shake us. We are solid. Our #1 is GOD. We do not waver in our purpose (Day 9). We rest in the power of the gospel message and the promise of eternal life (day 1). There is nothing He wants more than that. He wants our life. And if our spirit is quiet and gentle, we are happy even if the sky is falling. Because we trust in GOD (Proverbs 3: 5-6) and do not fear tomorrow, ahhhhhhhh... we are free from the crap of the world. Do you see what makes us beautiful? The most beautiful women are the women who's smile is genuine, fearless, and who's eyes show a permanent crinkle around the edges because this dang smile can't be wiped off our face! God has put women on a pedestal - we are beautiful if we rest in him (we don't need outward adornments like jewelry or clothing, even though those things are fun...) and He has given us a beautiful job: to nurture and create life and to be a shining example of Christ...
In our home.
In the way we dress.
In our actions.
In our words.
And with all of our heart.
No matter what.
If you just joined us I encourage you to start with day 1, there's a reason for the order...
If you just joined us I encourage you to start with day 1, there's a reason for the order...
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