Submit and Call My Husband "Master"?

1 Peter 3:5-6 “For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.  They were submissive to their own husbands.  Like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.  You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

            Lord, thank You for these verses!  That may seem strange coming from a 21^st century woman in a culture where the “Woman’s Liberation Movement” is going strong; so strong in fact that some women are turning to each other for love and affection in an perverse sense because they feel that they do not “need” men at all.  The word “obey” is being stricken from wedding vows and in too many homes the woman “wears the pants”.

            I know that actions speak louder than words.  In the past, I have paid “lip service” to my dear husband but have not had a submissive and obedient attitude or heart.  Lord, forgive my duplicity.  Now when I am tempted to be rebellious, I am reminded of something a dear mentor of mine, Betty Baker said many years ago.  We were talking about the wisdom of her husband wanting to drive all the way to Florida from New York (in total a 24 hour trip), because of his severe heart condition.  She agreed that she too was concerned.  I asked her if she would drive instead of him. She said that he would never let her drive when they were together.  She said, “I could probably force the issue and nag until he gave in, but if I did I’d probably get us into an accident.  I have learned that I dare not step out from under the umbrella of my husband’s authority; for when I do, I get poured on.”

            There was so much wisdom in that little conversation.  I have since taught that word picture to many women, young and old, and it has been a blessing to them as well.  Thank You, Lord for the ladies like Betty Baker, Barb McKee, Evelyn Dudley, and Dorothy Rhine You placed in my life as mentors…Titus 2 Women, in those early years.

            Lord, I must confess that I find it strange that in the second part of these verses, Peter uses Sarah as an example.  Yes, she obeyed Abraham when he told her they would move without knowing where, and to tell the king that she was his sister (a half truth) to save his own life, and she called him master.  However; there is the whole situation with Hagar too.  I guess she made the suggestion by manipulation and nagging, but he still had the choice whether to follow through and did…much like Adam and Eve.  So, the sin rests on them both.  In no way does this mean that Sarah was treated like a slave or a doormat, being ordered about because she called Abraham, “Master”.  It was obvious that he loved her and treated her with the utmost care, (except in his weak moments).

            You are a God of order and have placed an order of authority in the home because anything with two heads is a monster.  You always hold the husband accountable for what happens in his home.  That order is in place to provide efficiency and effectiveness for Your Kingdom.  Only when we submit to that order does the battle of the wills die and You are glorified in our homes.

                Before I conceded to Your leadership it was the same in my family.  Oh Lord, what a mess I made of things then.  I am sure that my change in attitude and willing submission had a great deal to do with my husband’s conversion.  Again, thank You, Lord for Your wisdom!  Help me to always follow Your way especially when it is counter-cultural!

            “Do not give way to fear.”  Lord, I know that as a wife we can sometimes become fearful when our husbands seem to be making wrong and hurtful decisions, especially when the outcome will affect the whole family.  Help us to rely wholly on You for protection, to give godly counsel to them in a loving submissive way, and to pray for them in their time of decision making.  After all You hold him accountable for those decisions.  You hold us accountable for our actions and attitudes.