Thursday after Jubilate Sunday
Posted on May 4, 2023 by under
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-12 (NKJV)
3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For
“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Devotion
Beginning at verse 8, Peter charges all believers to live in harmony with one another. On the surface this may seem unnecessary. Why wouldn’t Christians exhibit such a quality, especially with their fellow brothers and sisters in the faith? Those of us who have spent much time in church meetings have seen how this can sometimes sadly play out. Well-meaning intentions are taken the wrong way, and before you know it there is little harmony evident. Satan likes nothing more than to work inside the church doors.
That is why Peter goes on to quote Psalm 34, to indicate the seriousness of living the sanctified life: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (vs. 15-16). God not only watches over us, but He watches us. Faith without works is dead, and turns the face of God against us. Let us instead live God-pleasing lives, that God’s face may continue to shine upon us and give us His peace.
Prayer: Almighty God, Who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
