Mothers in the Lord

I love to call my Mom on the phone as often as I can. Now almost ninety years old, she remains well aware of my lifeand also has a deep “heart” understanding of my two brothers and four sisters. I thank God for her physical and emotional care for me over the years, and today I cherish her spiritual support as we talk of God’s Word and see the power of prayer.

Learning from Parents

God designed life and motherhood, and He set a “natural affection” (see Romans 1:31; II Timothy 3:3) within parents for their children. All of us can trace our physical lives back to the very first mother.

Genesis 3:20:
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Mother Knows Best

Physically bearing and raising children is necessary for human life. Yet God gives mothers (and fathers) an even greater responsibility. They are to teach their children how to love, worship, and serve the One Who makes life possible—the Lord God Almighty. Rebekah went to the Lord to understand about her two sons.

Genesis 25:22,23:
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

God showed Rebekah which of her two sons would have a heart for God and faithfully carry out His will. Because of her believing trust in the Lord, she was able to give Jacob advice that helped him continue Abraham’s line, which eventually brought forth our savior, Jesus Christ.

God literally told Moses how and why children should obey their mothers.

Exodus 20:1,12:
And God spake all these words, saying,
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Moses later repeated this truth from God, and gave instructions on how to be a proper mother.

Deuteronomy 5:16; 6:6,7:
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Mom’s Daily Duty

Being a mother or father “in the Lord” requires diligence to teach children about God throughout the daily responsibilities and adventures of life. Throughout each day, a mother can show God’s love, care, and protection by her example.

The Prophet Samuel’s mother, Hannah, showed this kind of personal devotion and held fast to a godly vision for her son. She sent him to be trained in the ways of the Lord, and she supported him in his service to God.

I Samuel 2:18,19:
But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

Mothers have a huge impact on their children. The Bible shows the “mother’s name” of many rulers, both good and bad (Leviticus 24:11; I Kings 11:26; 14:21,31; 15:2,10; 22:42; II Kings 8:26; 12:1; 14:2; 15:2,33; 18:2; 21:1,19; 22:1; 23:31,36; 24:8,18; II Chronicles 12:13; 13:2; 20:31; 22:2; 24:1; 25:1; 26:3; 27:1; 29:1; Jeremiah 52:1). King Asa took a stand for the Lord, despite the evil influence of his mother.

I Kings 15:11-13:
And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.
And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.

God’s Faithful Example

No matter what earthly parents may do, God is a loving heavenly Father who will never forsake us.

Psalms 27:10:
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

Isaiah 49:15; 66:13:
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Parent Power Partners

God revealed to Solomon (as written in the Book of Proverbs) the great power and strength that comes from following the godly instruction of a mother and father.

Proverbs 1:8:
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

Proverbs 4:3:
For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Proverbs 6:20:
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

Proverbs 15:20:
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

Proverbs 19:26:
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 20:20:
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Proverbs 23:22:
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

Taking Care of Mom and Dad

Jesus Christ recognized the God-given responsibility that children have to respect and care for their parents when they have needs. He showed the Father’s heart for caring for our parents in contrast to the unloving actions that religion can bring.

Matthew 15:3-6:
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift [giving to the religious system rather than supporting parents], by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Keeping God’s Priorities

Yet Jesus Christ also understood and taught that a person’s spiritual allegiance is to be first to God our Father and to His Son. Our greatest commitment is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. When that relationship is in proper alignment, we can then be blessed in family relations.

Matthew 10:37:
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Jesus lived this himself. When his own mother and family thought he was not doing the right thing, Jesus Christ had to remind his disciples that God, not earthly family, came first.

Mark 3:20,21,31-35:
And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

By keeping God first, Jesus Christ was able to encourage his mother. As a faithful son, he made sure that she would be provided for after his death.

John 19:25-27:
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, Mary continued to pray and believe with her son’s disciples.

Acts 1:14:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Mom and Dad: Teachers

Children are to obey a mother or father “in the Lord.” This requires that parents keep their responsibility to lovingly instruct their children about our heavenly Father.

Ephesians 6:1-4:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
And, ye fathers [“parents” in some texts], provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up [cherish and train them] in the nurture [education and instruction] and admonition [putting God’s Word into their thoughts] of the Lord.

Moms Making the Man Timothy

What an awesome responsibility that mothers and fathers have to prepare their children for a successful life blessed by God. Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a profound effect on his life as a man of God.

II Timothy 1:5; 3:15-17:
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.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We love our mothers for giving us physical life. And we can appreciate all they do to show us God’s loving kindness, gentle strength, and forgiving mercy.