Let the Beauty of Our Lord Be upon Us
"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (1 Peter 3:3–4)
Tucked in the holy Word of God is this precious jewel. "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us..." (Psalm 90:17). This verse speaks of a beauty that comes from spending time in the presence of the Lord, beholding Him and being transformed by His love. As we draw near to the Lord, we begin to reflect His inner beauty, a radiance that shines from within. In the Song of Solomon, the bride declares of her beloved, "...[Y]ea, he is altogether lovely..." (Song of Solomon 5:16).
As we pursue a deeper life in Christ, we too can experience the loveliness of our Lord and allow His beauty to shine through us. He delights in drawing close to His Bride, and He is with us through every trial and triumph. His eyes are always upon our troubles, and His beloved shall flourish once more—brighter, sweeter, lovelier, more beautiful, more glorious, purer, increasingly radiant, and fairer! As we abide in His presence, we shall carry the glorious beauty of our Lord and flourish forever in the courts of our God.
Yearn for Spiritual Maturity
In the pursuit of a deeper life in Christ, both men and women must not settle for a superficial, "easy street" religion. Instead, we must yearn for spiritual maturity and a deeper knowledge of our Lord, giving our lives, our hearts, and our everything to please Him. This deeper life calls us to carry His heart, cherishing and seeking the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.
It is important to note that this message is not about abstaining from wearing makeup or jewelry, but rather about cultivating a heart attitude rooted in Christlikeness. The Apostle Peter's exhortation to women in 1 Peter 3:3–4 emphasizes that true beauty should not come from outward adornment alone, but from the inner self—the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in God's sight. This principle applies to both men and women, as we are all called to pursue an inner life that reflects the character of Christ.
Prioritizing Inner Transformation over Outward Appearances
When God searches our hearts, He sees an unfading beauty that is not shallow or self-serving but one that exudes His gentleness and desires to hide behind the Cross, allowing the Lord to be seen. This is the heart of a Believer who yearns to be yielded to the Lord. They prioritize inner transformation over outward appearances. When the Lord sees such a person, He declares them to be of great worth in His eyes. (Photo via Unsplash)
In the eyes of the world, the most beautiful people may never be recognized for their outward charm or popularity. Yet, for those who take the time to look deeper, there is an undeniable inner glow of gentle beauty that shines brightly from within with those that love Him fervently. These truly beautiful souls have fought the good fight and refused to give up, even in the face of adversity. They have faced the fierce winds of pain and agony, the dark nights of the soul, and the wilderness of loneliness and rejection. But from the depths of the pit, they have emerged with a genuine compassion and a renewed appreciation for the Lord.
Those who pursue a deeper life in Christ know how to behold the Lord and sit in His presence. They lie at His feet, remaining there until they are transformed into His likeness. The Lord entrusts them with His gifts and power, knowing that they have proven themselves trustworthy stewards of His heart.
Carefully Molded in the Presence of the King
Such beautiful people do not simply happen by chance. They are carefully molded in the presence of the King. This is our hour and season to rise up as radiant, beautiful Believers shining forth the goodness of God for all to see. Our display of inner wealth surpasses the value of any earthly treasure, for we have obtained the boundless riches of a heart transformed by Christ.
As we walk in the garden of the Lord, let us aspire to cultivate this inner beauty. In our secret place of intimacy with Him, He reveals the depths of His love for us, cherishing our gentle and quiet spirits that reflect His own heart. As we spend time in His presence, allowing Him to speak tenderly to us, our inner beauty blossoms, and we are transformed into His likeness.
Dear friend, whether you are a man or a woman, let us pursue the unfading beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit. May we seek to know our Lord more deeply, surrendering our lives to Him and allowing His beauty to shine through us. Take heart, for the Lord sees the beauty that lies within you. He is not finished with you yet, and He will continue to mold and shape you as you abide in His presence (John 15). Embrace the process, knowing that each trial and every battle is an opportunity for His beauty to shine through you. You are precious in His sight, and your gentle spirit is a testament to His transforming power.
As we do so, we will become the radiant Believers He has called us to be, carrying His heart and shaking the very foundations of the enemy's kingdom (see Matthew 5:16). Let us embrace this deeper life in Christ, where true beauty is found in the quiet places of the heart and where we find our worth in the sight of our loving God. What more could we ask for than to be found beautiful in the eyes of our King?
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Steve Porter
Refuge Ministries
Email:Â G524walk@yahoo.com
Website:Â www.findrefuge.tv
Steve and Diane Porter have dedicated their lives to helping others experience a deeper relationship with God. Through their work with Refuge Ministries and Deeper Life Press, they have created resources that touch lives all over the globe. Steve has a special anointing to bring forth the deep truths of the Spirit, and his books, articles, and videos have helped people draw closer to God. The Porters live near Rochester, NY, and their greatest joy is to share the incredible love of their wonderful Lord.
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