A Mother's Love
1. A Mother's Heart
2. The First Mother
3. Hannah’s Prayer Was Answered
4. Naomi Came Back Empty
5. Companionship Of A Daughter-In-Law
6. The Hospitality Of A Great Woman
7. A Grandmother’s Faith
8. The Bottom Of The Barrel
9. Jesus Took Care Of His Mother – A Thought For Mother’s Day
10. The Fruit Of The Spirit
11. To Everything There Is A Season
12. She Hath Done What She Could
13. A Little Maid
14. The Labor Of Love
15. The Faith Of Jochebed
1. A Mother’s Heart
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) We usually include this verse in our Christmas programs, but it is one of my favorite verses throughout the year. It was a great joy to be the mother of 5 children. Now, my joy has multiplied as I get to spend time with our 13 grandchildren. There have been many nights when I went to bed and "pondered" the day in my mind and heart. Mary pondered the Lord's birth, and the visit from the angel and shepherds. Look again, when Jesus was twelve years old, and Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:46-51) There have been times that I didn't understand or know what was happening in my life. But I know the Lord. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Even when you have questions in your journey, just keep trusting the Lord. As we look forward to Mother's Day, join us as we look at some Biblical examples of the love found in a mother’s heart.
2. The First Mother
Mother's Day is a very special time, set aside to celebrate our very special mothers. We all had to have a mother to get here. And we never fully appreciate our mother, until we become a mother or father and see all the joy and pain, love and sorrow that being a parent can bring. We begin with Eve. "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." (Genesis 3:20) She was the first woman, and she became the first mother. The feelings she must have had at the birth of her first son are shared by women everyday as they cross over into the journey of motherhood. Nothing compares to holding a new born baby in your arms and feeling the awesome responsibility that God has given you a new life, to nourish and care for. Eve "was the mother of all living", but one day she learned the pain and sorrow of death. Many of us have also shared the heartbreak that death brings. I think that sometimes we read about people in the Bible and we think of them as being "super humans". But as we look at some of the characteristics of these Bible Mothers we will see in them the same feelings, and hopes, and dreams that we have today.
3. Hannah's Prayer Was Answered
The book of I Samuel opens with the story of how Hannah wanted a son. She wept and prayed to the Lord and promised that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord. "So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore... Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." (I Samuel 1:9, 10, & 17-19) Hannah had faith that the Lord would answer her prayer. God gave her a son and she named him Samuel and took him to the temple to help Eli, the priest. "And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." (I Samuel 1:26-28) We are reminded in this story to take our petitions to the Lord. We see this in the Old Testament in Psalm 37:3-5, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." And in the New Testament Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" (Matthew 7:7) God wants us to pray. We also see that Hannah remembered her vow and gave her son back to the Lord. We need to dedicate our children to the Lord. God has blessed us and we need to give back to God what He has given to us, as our time, our resources, and our talents. Because Hannah gave her son to God, God was able to use Samuel in a mighty way. God can use us when we yield ourselves to Him.
4. Naomi Came Back Empty
I had heard a lot about "empty nest syndrome", but I wasn’t prepared for it. I experienced it little by little as my children went off to college, and got married. I went from having the joyful noise of five children at home, to the quiet ways of just Michael and me. It was hard to prepare dinner for two when I had enjoyed cooking for seven, eight, or even more at times. The house, and my life felt empty. Naomi returned from the land of Moab where she buried her husband and two sons, and she said, "...I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty..." Do you feel empty? Maybe you have buried loved ones just as Naomi did. Maybe your children have grown up and you feel forgotten. Maybe your friends and family have moved on and left you behind. There are many times in our lives when we feel alone and empty. Later in Naomi's life we see a ray of hope, as Boaz, a kinsman redeemer, married Ruth and they had a son. "And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel... And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David." (Ruth 4:14 & 17) Don't get discouraged. Turn to the Lord to find help and comfort. After several years of our empty nest, we enjoy visits from our families and grandchildren, but with our increasing years, we really like our quiet lives.
5. Companionship Of A Daughter-In-Law
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." (Ruth 1:16) Many times we hear these words in wedding ceremonies, but these lovely words were spoken by a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law. After ten years in a foreign land Naomi was going back home. She felt alone and empty, but Ruth clave to her. Ruth was determined to go with her and take care of her. We hear many jokes about mother-in-laws, but this is a beautiful picture of how sweet these relationships can be. I am thankful for my mother-in-law and my daughters-in-law, just as I am thankful for my mother and my daughter. We meet many people throughout our lifetime. Countless times our paths cross so briefly, as we each go in our separate directions. But, sometimes we meet someone special. Sometimes a person comes into our life and becomes a lifetime companion. Don't take those people for granted. Love and cherish the time you spend with them. God had special plans for Ruth and Naomi and they were in the lineage of King David. God has given you special friends and family members for a reason. Love them. Be a true friend and companion.
6. The Hospitality Of A Great Woman
Today we are looking at a great woman. "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there." ( II Kings 4:8-11) We all want to be great. Why has this woman from Shunem been called a "great woman"? This is the only woman I can find complimented like this in the Bible. We don't know of all the great things she might have accomplished in her life. We are not told that she was extremely wealthy, or beautiful, or smart. But, the one thing we do see is her hospitality. She invited the man of God into her house. She fed him often as he journeyed by. She also made a small prophet's chamber for him to have a place to stay when he passed by. Many people today are afraid to invite the preacher over for a visit. Maybe they feel embarrassed by their humble home. Many times I have used the excuse that "I don't have time to clean up properly" to invite people over for a visit. We may feel that we can't prepare the perfect meal. Whatever the reason, we need to put the excuses aside and be hospitable to others. This was a "great woman". She may not have had many material things, but she welcomed Elisha into her home. In return, God gave her something she desired greatly... and He blessed her with a son.
7. A Grandmother's Faith
We must be saved individually. Salvation is a personal matter. You can't depend on the salvation of your parents or grandparents to save you. The Bible tells us that we are children of God, not grandchildren. But we can be an example to our children and to those around us. Paul knew of the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother. They were faithful in teaching Timothy about God. "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." (II Timothy 1:5) Acts 16:1 tells us that Timothy's mother was a Jewess, but his father was a Greek. We don't know if his father was a believer, but his mother was still faithful. You may be the only Christian in your family, but keep the faith. It may be hard to take your children to church, but keep the faith. We need to bring our children up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) We can't save our children, or our friends, or other family members. But, we can pray for them and be a Christian witness to them. Keep the faith.
8. The Bottom Of The Barrel
There have been times in my life when I felt like I was scraping the bottom of the barrel. I exhausted all of my resources, just to end up, exhausted. But when I read this story the Lord sends conviction to my heart. This widow woman actually was scraping the bottom of the barrel. She was gathering two sticks to cook her last little bit of bread so that she and her son could eat and die. God has blessed me so much. I don't think I have ever gone to bed hungry. There has always been food in my cabinets and refrigerator. But, there are times when I feel like I am scraping the bottom of the financial barrel when bills come due. And physically, I sometimes feel like I am in the bottom of the barrel and don't have the energy to climb out. Even spiritually, we can feel like our cruse of oil is about empty and we need a touch from God. In all of our situations we need to turn to God and trust in Him. God is able to supply all our needs. This poor widow was willing to give the man of God all she had and God, through the miracle of His grace, supplied their needs. Trust in the Lord, and be thankful unto Him.
"So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruise: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." (I Kings 17:10-16)
9. Jesus Took Care Of His Mother – A Thought For Mother’s Day
Jesus took care of His mother. John 19:28 begins, "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished,..." The last thing He did on the cross was to make sure His mother would be taken care of. How hard it must have been for these three women and John, standing at the cross, knowing the agony and pain that Jesus bore. But even in His final hour Jesus was thinking of others, as He remembered His mother. Don't forget your mother. It is important to let your mother know that you love her, not only on Mother's Day, but all through the year. Your mother took care of you when you were small and helpless. Remember to take care of your mother.
“25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:25-30)
10. The Fruit Of The Spirit
I was looking in a department store one year for Mother's Day gifts and I saw a book that looked interesting. The title was something like, "101 Things Every Cool Mother Should Know". It was filled with all sorts of "how-to" titles, such as, "How To Spin A Basketball On One Finger". I thumbed through the pages and saw all sorts of interesting things that I don't know how to do. I'm sure I don't know how to identify the five most common bugs you find under a rotting log. I guess I won't qualify as a "cool" mom because I put the book back on the shelf. But I do know where to find the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) I also know the love between a mother and a newborn baby. I know III John 3 which says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." I know the sweet peace of holding a sleeping child and the longsuffering that is needed for the toddler years. We can remember the gentleness of our mother's touch and the goodness in our mother's smile. I hope that my children have learned faith, meekness, and temperance not only by my words, but by my example. Mothers teach their children so many things. I showed them a few things growing up, like, how to skip a rock across the creek. But I pray that they learned much more than these "cool" things. I pray that they learned each of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit in our home, and that they learned to turn to God's Word for real living.
11. To Everything There Is A Season
There is a time for everything. When my children were small I looked forward to each milestone in their lives. I wanted to see them crawl, and hear their first words. I could not wait to get them out of diapers. It was wonderful when they started feeding themselves. It was a special time, sometimes in tears, when I watched them go to school with their little book bags and towels for naptime. And in just a few years, I helped them pack up for college. The time was short. All the milestones I had hoped to see, are just memories now. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) How are we spending our time? Are we missing things today, as we look for things to come, in the future? Are we wishing our life away? I often hear, "I wish it was Friday". We say, "I can't wait until my vacation." We need to cherish each new day as a gift from God. This chapter reminds us of times in our lives. "A time to be born, and a time to die;... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away." (Ecclesiastes 3:2, 4, & 6) What are we doing with our time? Are we spending our time on our phones and ignoring the ones sitting close to us? We need to open our eyes and ears and enjoy the things God has for us today. Take time to weep with those we love... and spend time laughing with them too. Don't lose out on treasures today, because you are spending all your time wishing for tomorrow.
12. She Hath Done What She Could
Today we are reading a story of Mary of Bethany. I don’t know if she was a mother, but she is a good example for us to follow as we do what we can.
“3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Mark 14:3-9)
John tells us this was Mary of Bethany. “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:1-3) Jesus told the people, "She hath done what she could..." As we read this today, we can ask ourselves, "Have I done what I could for Christ?" The older I get, the more I realize, that I need to do more for my gracious Lord. One way we serve Him is in our service to others, just as Jesus demonstrated when He washed the disciples' feet. Do we do all that we can do, for those around us? I think another way we can do what we can is in our service to the church. We need to give our tithes, our talents, and our time to a Bible believing church. We can also support missionaries with our offerings and prayers. We need to do what we can for the Lord. But don't get discouraged when people tell you that you are wasting your time, or your money, or your energy serving the Lord. There were some that spoke out against Mary, but Jesus stood up for her and said, "Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she had wrought a good work on me... She hath done what she could..." I feel that my works are so small, and I don't have a lot to offer, but I must keep doing all that I can for Christ. It would be a great blessing to have these words spoken of us... "She hath done what she could."
13. A Little Maid
We have been talking about mothers, but today I want to look at a little girl.
“1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” (II Kings 5:1-3)
We don’t even have her name, but we have this sweet, important story about her faith in God. She was taken away from her family and her home to be a servant in a foreign land. She lost her parents and her belongings. But she still remembered her God. There are many children today who have lost one or both of their parents. Death and divorce can take a child away from his home or a parent. Maybe you did not get to see your mother on Mother's Day this year. Try not to be discouraged. Just as the little maid wanted to help Naaman, you can try to be helpful in your new home. If you are on the adult side of this situation, listen to the children in your care. If no one had listened to this little girl, then Naaman would have never gone to Elisha and been healed. Spend time with your children, and take time to listen to their problems and fears. Take time to help them enjoy life. And most of all, teach them about the Lord.
14. The Labor Of Love
Motherhood usually begins with labor, (unless the baby is delivered by a planned C-section.) But that is only the beginning. I don't know if the labor of love ever ends for a mother. Quite suddenly she learns that she must take on the roles of nurse, cook, chauffeur, maid, coach, and the list could go on and on. Many today are homeschooling and are fulltime teachers to their children. Some mothers also have careers and must juggle their responsibilities between work and home, and often activities such as gymnastics and little league. Many times the burden of motherhood is not only physical, but can also become financial or psychological, and the pressures come from all directions. But I know of no greater blessing than being a mother. I always counted it a great honor that God would put a tiny, helpless, newborn baby in my life to raise up and care for. I hope that you can keep in touch with your Mother and take time to thank God for her. Without her, you would not be here. And if you are struggling under your burdens, pray and try to find comfort in these verses. Jesus said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) Christ wants to help us bear our burdens. He can help us find rest for our souls.
15. The Faith Of Jochebed
For our last Bible mother I want to look at the faith of Jochebed. I don’t think I have ever talked about her in these devotionals. She was the mother of one of the greatest men of the Old Testament. She was a slave in Egypt and Pharaoh had sentenced all the new born babies to be killed. She did not kill her baby, but made a little ark, or basket-boat, and placed him in the river. Miriam, the older sister, watched to see what would happen to her little brother.
“5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.” (Exodus 2:5-9)
Miriam took her little brother to her mother and Jochebed was paid to take care of baby Moses. During this time Jochebed undoubtedly taught her son about God and their people. Jochebed’s name is only mentioned in Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59 but she had faith in God and the name of Moses is mentioned in 774 verses. Because she had faith to hide her baby in the river, and she taught him about God and the ways of the people of God, Moses chose his mother and the people of God and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. We do not know the impact we have on our children as we “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
“23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:23-27)
