This past Sunday we began a new series called Unlikely Heroes. The series is about ordinary people who were used by God do to extraordinary things. The Bible is full of examples. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews lists the names of many of these heroes and heroines of the faith.
Many of the heroines of the Bible achieved greatness through motherhood. It all started with Eve. Her name means “living” or “life-giving.” She was the first woman to be called a wife and a mother. True, Eve was the first woman to give in to temptation. But she was also the first woman to receive the message of the cross! She produced a hero of the faith named Abel (Hebrews 11:4), and another godly son named Seth.
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is especially noted in Hebrews 11:11. ”It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.” By faith Sarah gave birth to Isaac and became the mother of the Hebrew people.
And then the Bible records the stories of Jochebed and Hannah. Who?! You are probably better acquainted with their sons: Moses and Samuel. The interesting thing about these two mothers is that they both dedicated their sons at a very young age to God’s particular plan for their lives. For Jochebed, it meant giving up Moses to be raised in Pharaoh’s household. For Hannah, it meant giving Samuel to be raised in the home of Eli the high priest.
The Bible goes on to record the stories of many mothers and their notable offspring. Among them are Rebekah and her son Jacob; Rachel and her son Joseph; Bathsheba and her son Solomon; Elizabeth and her son John; Eunice and her son Timothy; and of course, Mary and her son Jesus. Not all of these women were paragons of virtue. But each was a committed mother who ended up producing a life that made an impact for God.
If it’s true that a woman’s work is never done, double that for moms! Motherhood is one of the most demanding callings there is. It’s also one of the most rewarding! So as you go about your high calling of being a mom, be encouraged by this word from the apostle Paul, “Be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).
Keep up the good work, moms! And happy Mother’s Day!
Pastor Todd Weston
Many of the heroines of the Bible achieved greatness through motherhood. It all started with Eve. Her name means “living” or “life-giving.” She was the first woman to be called a wife and a mother. True, Eve was the first woman to give in to temptation. But she was also the first woman to receive the message of the cross! She produced a hero of the faith named Abel (Hebrews 11:4), and another godly son named Seth.
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is especially noted in Hebrews 11:11. ”It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.” By faith Sarah gave birth to Isaac and became the mother of the Hebrew people.
And then the Bible records the stories of Jochebed and Hannah. Who?! You are probably better acquainted with their sons: Moses and Samuel. The interesting thing about these two mothers is that they both dedicated their sons at a very young age to God’s particular plan for their lives. For Jochebed, it meant giving up Moses to be raised in Pharaoh’s household. For Hannah, it meant giving Samuel to be raised in the home of Eli the high priest.
The Bible goes on to record the stories of many mothers and their notable offspring. Among them are Rebekah and her son Jacob; Rachel and her son Joseph; Bathsheba and her son Solomon; Elizabeth and her son John; Eunice and her son Timothy; and of course, Mary and her son Jesus. Not all of these women were paragons of virtue. But each was a committed mother who ended up producing a life that made an impact for God.
If it’s true that a woman’s work is never done, double that for moms! Motherhood is one of the most demanding callings there is. It’s also one of the most rewarding! So as you go about your high calling of being a mom, be encouraged by this word from the apostle Paul, “Be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).
Keep up the good work, moms! And happy Mother’s Day!
Pastor Todd Weston