December 18 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading:

1 Peter 3:1-15

¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
⁶Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
⁸Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
⁹Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
¹⁰For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
¹³And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
¹⁵But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Devotional:

Let us not for a moment be taken in with the contemporary views which slough off the God-created differences between men and women!

The very word unisex is not only unrealistic, it is unchristian. Peter says that, since 'she is a woman,' the husband (who is a man) is to live with her 'in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel' (3:7 NASB).

There will be times when physical distress will overtake the wife. Let the husband be understanding. There will be times when emotional stresses will descend upon her as a deluge! Let the husband learn how to help her.

God has given the husband the responsibility of leadership. He expects him to lead his wife in paths of righteousness, as a good shepherd does. He has given the husband strength. He expects him to protect and shield his wife from neighbors, from family, from troubles that press down upon her. At times she will need to be protected against her own fears and frustrations and tensions. 'She is a woman.' He must be understanding.

The husband is set by God in this position of leadership, just as the woman is set by God to be his cooperative helper. Let not the man in his zeal for leadership expect her to call him 'lord' unless he is ready to 'grant her honor as a fellow-heir of the grace of life'! (3:6,7 NASB)

Inconsistencies in living in accordance with God's economy for the redeemed home will hinder our prayers. Each of us must assume the place God has designed for him if the spiritual life of the home is to flourish.

And note, when woman is called the 'weaker vessel' there is an implication that man is a weak vessel, too! Each of us is completely dependent upon the strength of God. 'When I am weak,' Paul wrote, 'then I am strong' (2 Corinthians 12:10 b).