Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 87-88; 1 Peter 3
Devotional Thought:
This chapter really zeros in on the core of the Christian’s relationships. It starts with addressing the role of the woman in marriage, deals with the responsibility of the husband in marriage, and concludes with the relationship of all Christians to each other. The context is how do we respond when the other person is doing wrong. We have seen the example of Jesus when he was treated wrongly, and now Peter is going to go a little further in personalizing it for us. “…be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (vs. 8-9) We can always justify responding wrong or doing wrong when we justify it by someone else’s wrong doing. However, in this chapter God specifically says the Christian does not act that way, at least not if he wants blessing. The temporal minded Christian, who is not living in light of eternity, will choose to disobey this chapter and settle for what he feels is justification here on earth. “They are going to pay for what they have done to me…” is the battle cry of a carnal, immature Christian. What he is really saying is I do not trust God to handle this properly so I am going to handle it my way. That mindset is what Ephesians 4:27 means by “neither give place to the Devil.” When we put the devil in a position where only he can win, he will and unfortunately has in so many relationships. It is often our tongue that gets us into trouble; therefore, Peter addresses it specifically. “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.” (vs. 10-11) When someone is treating us wrongly, we have the greatest comfort in knowing that God sees what we are going through and He cares. “For 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.” (vs. 12) When we disobey the Bible in how we respond to those who are treating us wrong, we forfeit the help God wants to provide, and literally turn God’s face against us. So many marriages break up because they think they are fighting each other, when by their wrong responses to each other, are really fighting God and His word. Too many Christians are at odds today because they refuse to seek peace, but rather are seeking some sort of temporal satisfaction that just leads to more heartache and division. Peter ends this chapter with a great challenge for us to remember when we are mistreated, “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” We make the choice!
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to never try to get even when mistreated. Please help me to have a greater desire for your name to be glorified than for me to have my name vindicated. Please help me to obey these clear but difficult commands when and if I am treated wrongly.
• Lord, I would rather be miserable on earth and see you pleased in heaven, than to be happy here on earth and see you disappointed when I get to heaven. Help me to model Christ for my wife, children, and church.
• Lord, I want to thank you for being a very present help in time of trouble, and for having your ears open to my prayers. I do not want my selfish actions to stand in the way of that awesome privilege.