The Faith of a Mother

Mother's Day began on May 10, 1908. Anna M. Jarvis in a memorial service for her Mother gave a white carnation (her Mother's favorite flower) to each one in attendance. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

A Mother's influence rocks the cradle and gives sound wisdom to Kings and Presidents. Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” The great leader also said, “No man is poor who has a godly Mother.”

The Scriptures present some godly Mothers. Jochebed was the Mother of Moses (Exod. 2:1—10). Think of the tremendous influence Moses' Mother had on her son as she weaned him.  Moses was the great deliverer of God's people from Egyptian bondage.

The faith of Jochebed is also recorded in Hebrews 11:23. Her faith rendered powerless the king's edict to destroy all the boys born in the land. Hebrews 11:24 focuses upon Moses' faith in that he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. This is a beautiful example of where a son is like his mother in believing in God. Jochebed's faith and courage were passed on to Moses who made them his by personal choice.

In those early years, Moses was taught the ways of the Lord before entering the Palace Court in Egypt. The gold and glitter of Egypt did not impress Moses because God's reward was better than worldly riches (Heb. 11:26—29).

In the court of the King, Moses remained true to God, for he had been well grounded at his parents' knees. Clarence Benson wrote, “By the age of three, a child is half as tall as he will ever be. By age seven a child's knowledge is astounding.”

Hannah was the mother of Samuel. Samuel was a judge and prophet of God. He also wrote First and Second Samuel. Hannah was described as “faithful,” “hopeful,” “prayerful,” “optimistic,” “rejoicing,” “joyful,” and “worshipful” (I Sam. 1:11; 17; 2:1; 2:2).

Eunice was the Mother of Timothy (II Tim. 1:4). She taught her son from the time he was a child (II Tim. 3:15). The great truths Timothy learned were: 

1. The Scriptures make one wise unto salvation in Christ”(II Tim. 3:15; cf. Acts 4:12)

2. The Scriptures are inspired or 'God-breathed' (II Tim. 3:16)

3. The Scriptures are profitable for: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, and how to live and walk with God in obedience. The Scriptures are also given for our maturity (learning how to get along and work with others) (II Tim. 3:17).

Timothy is an excellent example of a child who benefited from being taught the ways of the Lord early in life by his mother. Timothy was the faithful pastor of the church at Ephesus (I Tim. 1:3). Christian education must begin early in the home and church. Our Lord said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

Someone asked D. L. Moody, famed evangelist, of a bygone day and time about a service he conducted. Moody had said, “Two and a half people were saved.” The questioner said, “You mean two adults and one child.” “No,” Moody responded, “Two children and one adult.” A Christian worker once said, “Win a man to Christ and save a soul; win a youth, save a soul, plus a life; win a child and win a whole multiplication table.”

May the honor given to Mothers this year be blessed by the Lord one hundredfold.