An Inward Adorning (2)

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. For it was thus that the pious women of old hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].” 1 Peter 3v4-5 (AMP)

We have examples of pious women of old  (Mary, Ruth, Esther, Sarah…) who have trusted in God and how they related to God, having that gentle and peaceful spirit, (not anxious or wrought up) hoping in God, and submissive to their husbands. Philippians 4v6-7 (NIV) says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” While Isaiah 26v3 (AMP) tells us “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” The women of old, like us, trusted in God. To be a person who isn’t anxious, one needs to be a person of prayer. We take Esther for example, when faced with a great challenge, whereby anyone who approached her husband, the king, without being summoned, and he didn’t extend the scepter to the person, could be killed. She prayed and fasted and asked the Jews to do the same with her. She was a woman of prayer.  Mary believed God saying “…Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word…” (Luke 1v38, KJV). Ruth was a virtuous woman, strong in character, who trusted in God, for she made the God of her mother-in-law, the God of Israel, her God. Boaz, whom she married testified this of her saying: “And he said, Blessed be you of the Lord, my daughter. For you have made this last loving-kindness greater than the former, for you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not. I will do for you all you require, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of strength (worth, bravery, capability).” Ruth 3v10-11 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word. We pray for sisters, wives, mothers that we will be women of strength and virtue, having the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit which in Your sight is of great price in Jesus name, amen.