Mother's Day 2021

Mother’s Day: “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; and her husband also, and he praises her (Proverbs 31:28). “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things that you desire are not to be compared unto her (Proverbs 3:15).”

My wife Sue is an amazing mother. In all the chaos of a pastor’s house, Sue created tranquility, accord, and love. Our daughters learned at her knee how to pray, worship, reason, and value the great treasures of life.

In the Bible, motherhood is highly honored. Most mothers in Scripture were wonderful examples of Godliness as outlined in Proverbs 31. Unfortunately, there were some wicked mothers who still make us gasp.

You may recall Lot’s wife. As they were escaping the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, she looked back at her losses. Longing for that which was corrupted, cost her the joy of a bright future.

Queen Jezebel was the tormenter of the prophet Elijah. She was obsessed with his destruction until finally, she was destroyed herself. And Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah was equally warped. She murdered her grandchildren to remain in power!

In the New Testament, Herodias was outraged when John the Baptist exposed her immorality. In an elaborate scheme, she had her daughter Salome’ dance before Herod. When he asked what he could give her in appreciation, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plate!

On the other hand, some of the Godly mothers include Sarah (son Isaac), Naomi (mother-in-law to Ruth), Hannah (son Samuel), Elizabeth (son John the Baptist), and Mary (son Jesus). These women provide wonderful examples of maturity, purity, and devotion to God.

And then there was Jochebed, the mother of Moses. Her son was born at a time when the Egyptian Pharoah decreed that all Hebrew boys be drowned in the Nile. But Jochebed hid her son for three months and then constructed a basket with tar and pitch so it would not sink. She lovingly placed her son in the basket, and set it in the Nile.

In answer to a mother’s prayers, the daughter of the Pharoah found the baby, and fell in love. With the help of Miriam, Pharoah’s daughter paid Jochebed to serve as nurse to baby Moses, and to raise him until he was old enough to serve in the court of Pharoah.

On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate and honor Godly mothers. May the Lord bless and encourage each one. Some good mothers are weeping today over children who have made poor choices and are living away from God. I will join you in prayer that your wayward child will come home to Jesus.

Please accept this promise of God to all mothers as recorded in Isaiah 66:13 (NIV), “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”

Happy Mother’s Day 2021!