There are many inspirational stories in the Bible that tell of the love mothers have for their children, stories that describe devotion, love and sacrifice freely given.
We read the story of Jochebed, the mother of Moses, in the book of Exodus. At that time Pharaoh decreed that all male Jewish babies be drowned in the Nile River to prevent the Israelites from becoming more powerful and therefore become a threat to Egypt. Jochebed hid her baby boy for 3 months, and when she could hide him no longer, she chose to place him in a basket among the reeds in the Nile River. Through God’s providence, Moses was found by Pharaoh’s daughter, and Jochebed was reunited with her young son to nurse and care for him in his early years. Jochebed’s courage, ingenuity and faith are a testimony to a mother’s love for her child and faith in God.
Hannah’s story is one of the most touching in the entire Bible. She is one of several other mothers in the Bible who suffered long years of barrenness, but Hannah never gave up on God. Her heartfelt prayers were answered, and she gave birth to a son, Samuel. She then did something entirely selfless to honor her promise to God. She dedicated young Samuel to God and took him ot live with the priest Eli. God honored Hannah’s great sacrifice, and it is her selfless sacrifice that has been an example to mothers in all generations since.
The most honored mother in the Bible was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Although she was young, her humble heart can be seen in her response to the angel Gabriel when he announced that she would become pregnant by the Spirit of God. She submitted to what was in store for her. We read more about Mary’s heart in her response to young Jesus after finding him in the temple with the teacher’s of the law. She was not exasperated as we might expect, but she treasured the experience in her heart. How that heart must have broken as she watched her son on the cross, yet her devotion to him kept her there. That same heart would hardly have been able to contain the joy she felt when she saw her resurrected son.
Many of us have been touched by the devotion love and sacrifice of our mothers in ways that have molded our characters to the glory of the Father.
We thank you God, for you plan and for the gift of our mothers.
Love in Him,
Doug