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Hebrews 11:11 NIV And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Today, as we celebrate the incredible women who have nurtured, guided, and loved us unconditionally, it's fitting that we reflect on a virtue that lies at the heart of motherhood. That virtue is faith.
Not just any faith, but a deep, abiding trust in something bigger than themselves, a faith that carries them through sleepless nights, difficult decisions, and the unwavering hope for their children's well-being.
What is this faith I’m talking about?
The book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 1, tells us: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
I know we have said this before but we're talking about a faith that is not just a belief, but a deep-seated conviction, a knowing in our hearts that even when things are uncertain, even when we cannot see the path ahead, there is a guiding hand, a loving presence that will see us through.
Throughout the Bible, we encounter remarkable examples of faith. And among these shining examples, the faith of mothers stands out as particularly powerful and inspiring. Let's look at some of these incredible women:
Consider Eve, the first mother. Though her decision in the Garden of Eden had profound consequences, we can also see in her the beginnings of faith as she looked towards God's promise of a future redemption through her offspring. Even after the Fall, she held onto the potential for hope and new beginnings.
Her initial act brought significant hardship. However, viewing her life beyond that single event reveals a woman who, despite adversity and loss, embodied the life-giving and enduring spirit often associated with the faith of mothers. She trusted in God's promise.
Here's the promise
Genesis 3:15 NIV And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
This passage, known as the protoevangelium—the first announcement of the gospel that the offspring of the woman, ultimately Jesus, would triumph over the serpent (representing evil).
Though Eve understood the immediate pain and hardship resulting from her choice, this divine declaration offered a future hope in which she, as the first mother, played a crucial role in the lineage of redemption
Eve experienced profound loss, including the loss of innocence, paradise, and the tragic murder of her son Abel by his brother Cain.
Despite the immense sorrow of Abel's death, the birth of her son Seth brought a sense of renewal and she recognized God's provision,
Genesis 4:25 NIV Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
This demonstrates a mother's resilience and enduring faith in the face of tragedy, clinging to hope for the future of her family.
Let's reflect on Sarah, Abraham's wife, and her journey toward motherhood. Her faith, like ours often is, was tested by the long wait and the whispers of doubt.
As Genesis 16:1-4 tells us, in her impatience, Sarah proposed an alternative plan, suggesting Abraham have a child with her servant Hagar.
Genesis 16:1-4 NIV [1] Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; [2] so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. [3] So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. [4] He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
This act, born out of doubt in God's timing, highlights a very human struggle when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. We, too, can sometimes try to take matters into our own hands when God's promises seem delayed.
Later, in Genesis 18:10-12, when the Lord reaffirmed the promise of a son, Sarah, listening from the tent, laughed to herself, thinking, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
Genesis 18:10-12 NIV [10] Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. [11] Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. [12] So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
This laughter, stemming from disbelief, is a stark reminder that doubt doesn't necessarily signify a complete lack of faith. It's important to understand that doubt isn't the opposite of faith; sometimes, it's a pathway to a deeper, more resilient faith. Here's how:
When doubts surface, they can motivate us to explore our beliefs more thoroughly. We might find ourselves studying scripture with renewed focus, or praying with greater intention, leading to a more profound understanding of God.
Recognizing and accepting our doubts, rather than trying to suppress them, can be the initial step toward a more profound faith journey. Honesty about our struggles allows us to seek genuine answers and experience God's presence amidst our uncertainty.
Just as Jesus met Thomas in his doubt, God can meet us in our moments of uncertainty.
John 20:25-29 NIV [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” [28] Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Engaging with our doubts and seeking Him in those times can lead to powerful, personal encounters that solidify our faith.
Interestingly, Sarah laughed again. This time, however, her laughter was not of disbelief but of joy and amazement:
Genesis 21:6-7 NIV [6] Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” [7] And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Her initial doubt was transformed into joyful wonder as she held her son Isaac.
Hebrews 11:11 NIV And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Sarah's story teaches us that our faith doesn't need to be completely without doubt to be genuine or powerful. It's in the wrestling, the questioning, and the ultimate reliance on God's faithfulness that our faith is truly strengthened and God's promises are realized. Sarah's journey, marked by both doubt and joyous fulfillment, serves as an enduring testament to God's unfailing faithfulness.
Then there's Hannah, whose heartfelt prayers for a son are recorded in the book of I Samuel. Barren and deeply distressed, Hannah poured out her soul to the Lord, vowing to dedicate her child to His service.
1 Samuel 1:10-11, 19-20 NIV [10] In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. [11] And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
[19] Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. [20] So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
1 Samuel 1:24-28 NIV [24] After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. [25] When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, [26] and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. [27] I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. [28] So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
Hannah's unwavering faith and her commitment to God are a testament to the strength of a mother's devotion.
We also remember Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her "yes" to God's extraordinary plan required immense faith.
Luke 1:34-38 NIV [34] “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. [37] For no word from God will ever fail.” [38] “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary's faith in the impossible, her willingness to embrace the unknown, paved the way for the salvation of humanity.
These mothers in the Bible, despite their different circumstances, shared a common thread: a profound faith in God that sustained them and empowered them to embrace the blessings He bestowed upon them.
And what about mothers today? Does their faith hold any less significance? Absolutely not! In fact, in a world filled with constant challenges and uncertainties, a mother's faith is more vital than ever.
Think about the mother who prays for her child struggling with illness, holding onto the belief that healing is possible. I saw that in my own family with my daughter and her daughter. Consider the mother who works tirelessly to provide for her family, trusting that God will meet their needs. Reflect on the mother who guides her children in the ways of the Lord, instilling in them a foundation of faith that will last a lifetime.
The faith of a mother is often a quiet strength, an unspoken confidence that permeates the home and shapes the lives of her children. It is a faith that teaches resilience in the face of adversity, hope in the midst of despair, and love that never fails.
Just as the biblical mothers we discussed leaned on their faith, so too can mothers, (fathers and children too) today find strength and guidance in their relationship with God. When doubts creep in, when worries weigh heavy, when the path ahead seems unclear, our faith in God and His promises reminds us that we are not alone. It connects us to a power greater than ourselves, a source of peace and strength that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 offers us this comforting invitation from Jesus:
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV [28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This invitation is especially relevant for mothers, who often carry heavy burdens – the worries for their children, the demands of their households, and the desire to nurture and guide their families.
This Mother's Day, let us celebrate not only the love and dedication of mothers, but also their unwavering faith. Let us acknowledge the profound impact their faith has on their families and the world around them. And let us, in turn, be inspired by their example to deepen our own faith, trusting in the promises of God and allowing His love to guide us in all that we do.
To all the mothers present here today, we honor you. We thank you for your love, your sacrifice, and most importantly, for the faith that serves as such a powerful foundation for your families. May God continue to bless you, strengthen you, and fill your hearts with His perfect peace.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the powerful message we have received today, reflecting on "A Mother's Faith: An Unshakeable Foundation." We praise you for the incredible gift of mothers and the steadfast faith that so often anchors their lives and the lives of their families.
We lift up all mothers, those who are with us and those we hold in our memories. Strengthen them, Lord, with the unshakeable foundation of your love and truth. Grant them wisdom, patience, and unwavering trust in your promises as they guide and nurture their children. May their faith be a beacon of hope, a source of courage, and an enduring testament to your goodness.
Help us, as children, to recognize and honor this unshakeable foundation of faith in our mothers. May we be inspired by their devotion and learn to build our own lives upon the solid rock of your love.
May the lessons of a mother's unshakeable faith continue to resonate in our hearts, empowering us to live with courage, love, and a deep reliance on you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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