In the infinite wisdom of God, salvation came through a mother. When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4:4). And so it should be no surprise that it pleases God, generation after generation, to use the sacrificial love of mothers to build His kingdom.
This is the case in every humble Christian family, but church history is filled with great examples for our imitation and encouragement. St Timothy inherited his sincere faith from his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Tim. 1:5). Behind the great St Augustine stood his faithful mother, Monica. The Wesley brothers received their fiery zeal from Susanna’s example. The powerful preaching of Spurgeon was the fruit of Eliza’s pleading prayers. Hudson Taylor departed for China with the prayer and blessing of his mother, Amelia, still echoing in his ears. And J. Gresham Machen dedicated his book Christianity & Liberalism to his mother, who taught him the Bible and the Shorter Catechism as a child. And the list could go on…
Mothers give life. Mothers cultivate eternal souls. God uses mothers to change history. And so it is little wonder then that those in our culture who are at war with God are at war with motherhood. Their attacks range from teaching young girls that there is something much better for them to aspire to than “just being a mom” all the way to the celebration of abortion as a way to avoid motherhood (although we know those discarded babies do indeed have mothers).
In our fight against such a culture of death, we celebrate that which they hate—strong and faithful mothers. The kind that die daily so that their children might live. The kind that raise boys and girls that are not “safe” but dangerous – a threat to the enemies of God.
And so the exhortation this morning is to honor the mothers in your life. Rise up and call them blessed (Prov. 31:28). And if you’re a mother, hear this: the eternal significance of your work is not meant to be a terrible burden but a great opportunity for faithfulness. All that you do is by the grace of God and according to His promises. So rely on Him, and may your works praise you in the gates (Prov. 31:31).
Shawn Paterson – May 12, 2024
