1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

After teaching wives how to show honor to their husbands, Peter turns his attention towards the men (but wives, you pay attention too!).

There is Eve in the Garden of Eden. She is suddenly confronted by a snake who begins to entice her to eat fruit from God’s forbidden tree. She enters into conversation with the snake, who deceives her into sinning. Where is Adam this whole time? Is he fighting off the serpent? Is he protecting his wife? Is he faithfully tending to the garden God has given him charge of? No. He is standing there watching and silent. Eve went to the tree “took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6). Later, when God came to pronounce judgment, as much as Adam tried to pass the buck, God held him responsible (Genesis 3:9).

Men, God has called you to be leaders in your home. You are called to provide for your families, to protect your marriage, to fight for your wife. Our culture encourages men to be overgrown, irresponsible boys who want their wives to mother them. For this, we need to repent. Unlike Adam we are to fight for our marriages, sacrificially love our wives, and take responsibility for our families. We are to follow Jesus, who has done this for us. He has driven off the devil and now feeds us with the fruit of his cross in the sacrament. His protection and provision save His bride the church. In the same way, husbands, you ought to love your wives (Ephesians 5:33).

Father, forgive us for buying into the lie that men are nothing but lazy slobs. Raise up men in your church to lead their families and communities with confidence and grace. AMEN!

*The symbol on the top of this devotional stands for “Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum.” It is a Latin phrase which means “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” This phrase, based on I Peter 1:24-25, served as the battle cry of the Lutheran reformers as it reminded them that God’s Word alone was sufficient to teach them God’s will. The symbol was on flags, banners, uniforms, and even swords as a sign of unity among those who suffered for confessing their faith in Christ alone. *

Pastor Bob

Labels: word-remains-forever