Today we are going to learn from Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who was so beautiful that when she was over 65 years old, Abraham was afraid he would be killed so that kings could have her. (Pharaoh in Genesis 12:15, Abimelech in Genesis 20:1)
In 1 Peter, Peter tells us how Sarah made herself beautiful. He says "Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good ....” 1 Peter 3:4-6
Sarah was first beautiful to God (she had submissive, gentle and quiet spirit) and then God made her beautiful to man. Her face and figure reflected her soul’s beauty.
In a rebellious culture like the one we live in, the concept of submitting to authority meets with resistance. But God says we should submit to whoever is placed in authority to us, if what they require doesn’t contradict what God says.
One reason God may find rebellion so ugly, is that there was already one rebellion in Heaven. Satan’s beauty led him to pride which led to rebellion. (Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:13-17) God’s not having any more rebellions in Heaven, so a submissive spirit is the beauty standard for God.
How God Defines Beauty:
God considers a gentle, submissive, and quiet spirit beautiful.
How God uses Beauty:
And Sarah’s beauty increased Abraham’s prestige, even though it made him fearful of his life.
In the book of Esther, God uses a beautiful woman to influence a powerful man and to save her nation.
In Job 42:15, God uses Job’s daughter’s beauty to reflect well on Job and as a restoration for the children he had lost.
Day 21 Challenge – Be beautiful to God. Quiet your spirit. Submit to every person in authority over you, your husband, your boss, etc.
Tomorrow we will continue looking at staying physically attractive as we age and we will switch to the physical realm and take a look at facial exercises, derma rollers, Gua Sha massage, LED Masks and discuss plastic surgery.