The Love of God

(Judges 5:7)  The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 

Deborah was no stereotypical mother. But a mother, she was. 

She was a leader in Israel. She was a wife. She was as tough as nails and yet, sensitive to the things of God. Her prayer and song of praise tell her story and God’s story. 

God raised her up for His purposes and used her mightily. She did what Barak would not do and received honor that he might have received. 

She was a woman of courage, a woman of faith, a woman of praise, and a woman of wisdom – a lot like many of our mothers. 

We need mothers with courage today because times are hard and the attacks on our families are profound. Sometimes, it is only the mother who will stand up for her families. Some fathers have defaulted in their responsibility. All fathers need her by their sides. 

We need mothers of faith today because our children need to learn it. What better place to be introduced to faith than at a mother’s knee? 

We need mothers of praise today who fill our homes with songs of praise, objects of praise, and occasions to praise the Lord. We need mothers who will turn off the televisions and radios and turn on the gospel. 

We need mothers of wisdom today who will take the time to teach their children. Parents are the best wisdom teachers that God made. That is why we are told throughout the book of Proverbs to listen to them so carefully. 

Buried in the sometimes dark stories of Judges is an example of a mother who can point us to some qualities of motherhood that we need to encourage in our young women today. Our pews are full today of exemplary models of motherhood. Let us honor them today. 

Happy Mother’s Day!