Lord, I am at my limit, as God is my witness, I have put every effort I can for my family, but it seems the devil seems to think that overwhelming me would work as before.
I will do fasting, praying, learning more word of God, the truth in you, Lord, whatever it takes, but I am at my physical limit, so I leave everything to you Lord.
Only I can do this, for I know Satan is at the footstool of you Lord Jesus, so I leave all my worries and concern to you, take away my burden, and give me rest in Your name, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
In this chapter, Peter gives instruction to how wives and husbands should live according to what is pleasing to God.
First, wives must be submissive to their husbands (v.1), that husbands would be won, even those who may not obey the word, with the conduct of fear (v.2).
Wives should not be concerned with outward appearance, such as arranging
hair, wearing gold, or find clothes (v.3).
Instead, focus on being the "person of the heart" (v.4), which is the "incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (v.4), that is very precious for how God views them.
Husbands, like wives, must treat wives with understanding and honor (v.7), to acknowledge that wives are "weaker vessel" (v.7), but as both heirs of the grace of life, both should never hinder each other in prayers (v.7).
And for the rest, as everyone else, Peter gives this instruction:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
(1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV)
"Seek peace" (v.11), says Peter, and pursue it even, that we should do good, while away from evil, for God looks and hears from those who are righteous (v.12), but against those who are evil.
Being righteous, Peter tells us that, even if we suffer, that we are blessed, and that we should never "be afraid" of others' threats, nor "be troubled" (v.14).
Peter then adds, that some of us may be defamed as "evildoers" or even revile us, but let our good conduct through good conscience in Christ Jesus be counter their evil ways, that they may be ashamed (v.16).
In the end, as God seeks righteous, it is better, says Peter, to do good than do evil, as suffer for the will of God (v.17).
All of this, that we do, is to follow Jesus Christ, as Peter profess,
that as He had suffered for our sins, "the just for unjust" (v.18), that by doing so, Christ may bring us to God, dying on the cross for us in flesh, but being resurrected by the Spirit (v.18).
Lastly, Peter gives us the meaning of baptism, which he calls it what it used to be the "antitype" (v.21) as we were sinners, but now it saves us,
which is the Holy Spirit given to us after Jesus' resurrection.
(Peter also gives us that the baptism by water is what cleanses our flesh)
That as Christ ascended into heaven, all the powers is being subject to Him, as He now sits at the right hand of God (v.22).
I just wonder, while Peter gives us this teaching, where was he? Was he being imprisoned, as Paul was? Or was he away from his family, his wife and children? Was he being persecuted, as being defamed as evildoer by the opposing crowd, who are from Satan? Whatever his circumstances may be, one thing is certain, none of them would never deter his faith in God, in Christ, and by the grace of God, Peter was able to stand his ground in Christ, as he was serving the Lord.
I look at my circumstances, and only God would know, I have been putting up with my situations for so long, and physically, I don't know how long I can put up with these.
I just hope and pray that, through the Holy Spirit, God grants me wisdom to deal with my circumstances that are what God would consider as righteous, or not deal at all maybe; just let God handle the rest, as put all my burden on the shoulder of Christ Jesus who is my Shelter, my Refuge.
Whatever it is, as Peter only looked ahead for Christ, I will try to do also.
If only God is willing, He will let me know.
I sincerely pray for those who are suffering, may Christ be with you all also. It is truly only by the grace of God, we can get through our sufferings, for our foe isn't of the flesh, but the spiritual warfare which is the devil.
Image by Paul KIm from Pixabay
Music by 23624974 from Pixabay:
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He Hears Me - Worship Poured Out
