“DO NOT LET YOUR ADORNING BE .” Thoughts from today’s Bible reaqdings – Dec. 13th

As Christmas approaches and the shops, at least in this country, are full of goods they are hoping people will buy as presents, it is noticeable how many of these goods are related to things that aim to improve a person’s external appearance!

A verse or two of what Peter writes on the foolishness of being caught up into thinking too much about how we look on the outside, how we are adorned is of no importance as long as we are neat and tidy.  Although for some of us, there will be times when the nature of our employment will make this impossible.

Peter wrote, “do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair, the putting on of clothing (expensive clothes CEV) – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a meek(gentle) and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” [1 Peter 3 v.3-4]

This advice applies just as much to men as it does to women. That which is “hidden” is only seen by God, and what he sees is what matters.

Four times in the Old Testament we come across the phrase “the splendour (or beauty) of holiness”, David uses it twice in the Psalms.   Psalm 96 is a hymn designed to be sung in the Kingdom age when Christ reigns when it will be evident who has developed the inner beauty in their heart.

God sees “beauty” in our heart, that is, he sees the way we think, and, as a result, the way we talk and act.  The time will come when “the beauty (favour) of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands …”  [Psalm 90 v.17]  What a beautiful time the Kingdom Age will be – that will be the most wondrous adorning when “the beauty (favour) of the Lord our God (will) be upon us, and establish the work of our hands …”  [Psalm 90 v.17]

What an endless beautiful time the Kingdom Age will be – may we, by his grace, experience that wondrous adorning.