Daily Devotion

Inner Beauty

Audio

Today is Friday, 23rd of May. As we approach another weekend, let us commit this day to the Lord.

We praise God in the words of Psalms 138:

138 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
³ On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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The Scripture Reading is 1 Peter 3:1-7:

 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,² when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ³ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

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.

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Reflection

In a world that often emphasizes outward appearance and personal rights, the text here can feel countercultural. Yet here, God calls us to something deeper—something eternal. He invites us into a vision of relationships shaped by inner beauty, mutual respect, and reverence before God.

For wives, their character can be influential. Their “respectful and pure conduct” can soften even a hardened heart. True beauty, is not found in the external—hair, jewellery, or clothing—but in “the hidden person of the heart,” in “the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” This inner strength, marked by peace and humility, is “very precious in God’s sight.”

Peter reminds us that such women, like Sarah, were women of faith who hoped in God—not in their appearance, control, or circumstances.

To husbands, Peter gives no lesser charge. He calls them to live “in an understanding way” with their wives, to show honour and tenderness, recognising them as “heirs with you of the grace of life.” Anything less, he says, may even hinder one’s prayers. This is not about dominance, but about Christlike love that uplifts and protects.

Together, husband and wife are called into a sacred partnership—a reflection of the Gospel. It is a relationship not ruled by the world’s standards, but shaped by grace, gentleness, honour, and shared hope in God.

Questions for further reflection:

If you are married, take a moment to pray for this sacred partnership. In what ways can your marriage grow to reflect the truths of the Gospel more and more each day?

If you are single, are your relationships with your family and friends marked by outward posturing, or inner grace?

Collect

We end with this collect for marriages:

Almighty Father, giver of life and love,
look in favour on all who are made one in marriage.
In your love deepen their love;
strengthen their wills to keep the promises they have made;
that they may live to your glory and to the good of humankind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

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Link to today’s Morning Office