I’m learning that what I surrendered yesterday won’t sustain me today. Each day is new. I must surrender myself daily–even in those areas I already allowed the Lord to purge in the past.
The Lord gave me a glorious verse, which was so applicable to my chastening. If I am to be trained in righteousness, I must obey ALL of His word (1 John 2:5). The verse He gave me speaks so deep into myself, and my pride.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—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. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV
We love to adorn ourselves, don’t we? I enjoy keeping up with the latest trends, cute clothes, beautiful jewelry, and stylish hair. God’s word isn’t speaking against these things. But it is saying DON’T STOP THERE! Let your true adornment be the inner person; let it be your heart! It gives us a picture of what that heart should look like. It is a GENTLE and QUIET spirit. God wants us to know that a gentle and quiet spirit is MORE DESIRABLE than the outward appearance–and to Him that is true BEAUTY.
Of course, there’s more…
If you read 1 Peter chapter 3, it is important to notice the verses surrounding this one. We see that this instruction is specifically directed at wives.
WARNING…hold on to your seats! But please remember, to truly be trained in righteousness we must be found in obedience to ALL of God’s word…
The context is speaking of the submission of wives to their husbands. Wives, we are to be submissive to our husbands with a gentle and quiet spirit. Ya know, when I’m doing well in this area, I still only get about half of this right. I’m either quiet and gentle (outside of the context of submission), or I’m submissive. But I find it difficult to be submissive to my husband in a quiet and gentle way, all the time. However, God desires this of me. He’s asking for my obedience to Him.
I challenge you to pick up your Bible, read 1 Peter 2-3 to receive from the Lord. Let me sum it up. First of all, you will be greatly challenged as Peter speaks about desiring the word of God so you will grow (it is the ONLY way to grow). He then uses the word PRECIOUS to describe Jesus and even recites old testament prophesy about the precious Messiah to come. He continues on to warn believers to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against our souls and to have honorable conduct. Then he instructs regarding submission; first to government, then to masters (for us today this is like employers, or anyone in authority over us), and finally to wives.
It is the word PRECIOUS that sticks out to me in these verses.
First of all, I see that when my heart is right, I am PRECIOUS to Him (1 Peter 3:4).
Oh yes, I want that!
I also see that Jesus is called precious (1 Peter 2:4, 6, 7).
It is His precious blood that purifies me from my unrighteousness (1 John 1:7).
I read in Psalm that his thoughts toward me are precious (Psalm 139:17-18, Psalm 40:5).
In Isaiah we are told we are precious in his sight and He loves us (Isaiah 43:4).
In Proverbs wisdom is described as more precious than rubies (Proverbs 3:15).
In James, we read about a patient farmer who waits for his precious fruit of the earth — we are like that fruit and Jesus is waiting for His “precious fruit of the earth” to come to know Him before His return. (James 5:7)
AND don’t miss this one (my favorite)…
The genuineness of our faith is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7).
It’s pretty amazing that the same word used to describe my Savior, Jesus, is used to describe me – precious. I want to always be found with a gentle and quiet spirit, having wisdom, and genuine faith which are all precious in the sight of God. It’s for His pleasure. I surrender my selfishness to have my own way, and submit to His will for my conduct and the inner person of my heart.
The next time you’re choosing what to wear, take a moment to consider what you’re putting on in regard to your heart.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering… and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you… but above all these things put on love. Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV.
Ask the Lord to examine your heart and your mind each day (Psalm 26:2). And don’t forget to surrender those things He reveals, again tomorrow!
