"A Mother's Influence" April 21 Readings: 1 Samuel 1-2, Luke 13:22–14:11, Psalm 50:4–10, Proverbs 11:13-14

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Today's Readings - 1 Samuel 1-2, Luke 13:22–14:11, Psalm 50:4–10, Proverbs 11:13-14


Devotional - A Mother's Power


It was one of the true low points in Israel's history, the end of the period of the Judges. Depravity, violence, immorality, and perversion abounded in the land and there seemed to be no hope that things would get better. The moral spiral only promised to worsen. Israel was idolatrous and evil, and its leaders were spiritually calloused and insensitive to the voice of God.

But the fact is that when the book of Judges closed and 1 Samuel opened, Israel was half a century away from its greatest moment, the reign of David as king. When things looked like they couldn't get any worse, God had another plan, a plan of renewal and revival that would raise up his people to heights never imagined before.

This is a powerful and hopeful message for any struggling mother. The early chapters of 1 Samuel record the genesis of Israel's revival. It all started with one mother who prayed to God. Hannah went to Shiloh to pray. Her intensity led Eli the priest to believe she was drunk, but when she poured out her heart about her inability to conceive, he was moved and blessed her.

God heard her prayers and she had a son, Samuel. When he was weaned, she took him to Shiloh and gave him to the Lord. That son grew up to be the man of God, the prophet, the mentor of both Saul and David, the man who led Israel back to loyalty to God.

And it all started with one woman who gave her son to God.

Of course, God does not ask us to give our sons away literally, as Hannah did. But we are called to raise our children not just to get an education and a good job, not just to be happy, but to be servants of the Living God.

A mother who gives her child to God and raises that child to be a warrior in the kingdom of God is the most powerful person on earth. Pastors can preach, teachers can teach, leaders can lead; but mothers can change the world by raising sons and daughters who love God and serve him faithfully.

Mom. It's not a glamorous position and it certainly doesn't pay well. But Hannah changed the course of Israel's history simply by giving her son to God. Mom, I know it's hard, thankless, drudgery, and many times you feel worthless and insignificant. But if you are doing it right, if you are pointing your children toward Christ and leading them in his ways, you have a role more significant to the future than perhaps any other.

Father, I pray for mothers today, that you would fill them with the sense of the significance of the task they perform. When they feel burdened, give them a sense of eternity. When they feel insignificant, help them see the future. When they feel tired, give them divine energy. Thank you, Lord, for mothers with a heart for your kingdom. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

The world often strives and fights for power, but realize that the job that the world views as lacking in status often carries great weight in God's kingdom.



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