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Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 1 Peter 3:1-12
Set – Isaiah 40; 1 Peter 3
Go! – Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:1-12
1-2 In the same way, wives, you should patiently accept the authority of your husbands. This is so that even if they don’t obey God’s word, as they observe your pure respectful behavior, they may be persuaded without a word by the way you live. 3 Don’t focus on decorating your exterior by doing your hair or putting on fancy jewelry or wearing fashionable clothes; 4 let your adornment be what’s inside—the real you, the lasting beauty of a gracious and quiet spirit, in which God delights. 5 This is how, long ago, holy women who put their hope in God made themselves beautiful: by respecting the authority of their husbands. 6 Consider how Sarah, our mother, obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him “lord,” and you will be her daughters as long as you boldly do what is right without fear and without anxiety.
7 In the same way, husbands, as you live with your wives, understand the situations women face as the weaker vessel. Each of you should respect your wife and value her as an equal heir in the gracious gift of life. Do this so that nothing will get in the way of your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other— 9 not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing. 10 It is written in the psalms,
If you love life
and want to live a good, long time,
Then be careful what you say.
Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things.
11 Walk away from the evil things in the world—just leave them behind, and do what is right,
and always seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the Lord watches over the righteous,
and His ears are attuned to their prayers.
But His face is set against His enemies;
He will punish evildoers.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
I’m amazed at how much emphases people will put on the first six verses in this chapter and forget everything else around it. They forget Peter goes on to tell husbands to respect and value their wives as equal heirs in the gift of life. They forget his admonition to be like-minded, love, show compassion, and humility to each other. They forget the place I hold for women in My kingdom.
All you need do is look at how I treated women in My word and you’ll see how important they are to Me. They are never second place. There is no debate. Neither is there debate about the separate roles of men and women in My mind. I created men and women different from each other and dependent upon each other. Humankind cannot continue without both.
Look through the history of My actions in the lives of people and you’ll see stories about Rahab, Ruth, Esther, Mary, the woman at the well, Mary Magdolene, Lydia, and so many more that played critical roles in the establishment of My kingdom on earth and perpetuated faith in Me. If there’s any doubt about their importance to My kingdom, those stories should clear it up. To Me men and women share equally in the inheritance of My kingdom.
So what I want you to remember is the rest of the Peter’s admonitions. Be compassionate. Be humble. Be like-minded. Show sympathy. Love each other. Love doesn’t lord over one another, but love serves each other. Wives will serve husbands out of love and husbands will serve wives out of love. Now go back and see what Paul says about love in 1 Corinthians 13.
You’ll find love isn’t a mushy-gushy emotion. Love is a decision on which to take action. You decide to love. Remember, Peter is talking to a culture in which brides were chosen for husbands. Husbands had no choice in the matter and neither did the bride. The two just learned that love was something you decided you did. The families agreed the two of you would be joined together and so you better learn to love each other or life would become pretty miserable.
The psalmist gives good advice as Peter pointed out. If you love life, and want to live a good long time, don’t tell lies, gossip, or talk about improper things. Do what is right. Seek peace and pursue it. I’ll watch over you. My word tells you I will and I don’t break My promises.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.