I Thessalonians 2:7
The Scriptures have given us many examples of good and bad mothers. We will look at some of them today, but keep in mind that there are no perfect mothers because there are no perfect people. This is why we are to look to Christ. For some of you your mom has gone into eternity. This day may be emotional to you. You have a longing to see and to talk to your mom. You have a longing to hear her voice and to feel her touch. That will never go away. You think back and there are some things that really stand out. You laugh, and you cry.
Then there are those of us who still have our moms. We still flinch or duck at times when she calls our names with a certain tone. She can make a whipping weapon out of whatever is in arms reach, and she is a professional with the use of it.
There are attributes that a mom has, that no one else has. God made men and women different. We can read verse 7, and then read verse 11 and easily see a few differences. Fathers are usually more factual. This does not mean they are standoffish. In verse 11 the words exhorted and comforted both have the prefix para which speaks of drawing near or coming along side to help. The father is very much involved with his children, and he has compassion and a passion for them. But he is still not the mother.
"But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children," I Thess. 2:7. "Gentle" in this verse is an adjective meaning placid, gentle, mild, easy, compliant. This is a God given attribute to a mother. The lady that you call mom may not have given you birth, but she is the one that is gentle to you. She cares for you like no one else does. She hurts when you hurt, and she rejoices when you are rejoicing. No matter what, she is faithful to you. I am reminded of a lady named Rizpah in II Samuel 21:8-10. She sat upon sackcloth which is a sack for grain, but is used for mourning or humiliation. She stayed there from the beginning of harvest until the water dropped upon them from out of heaven. This would be about a month. She did not seek comfort from the elements, nor did she get much sleep. Can you imagine what she saw day by day? She could no longer wipe away their hurt, she could no longer embrace them, but she was faithful to them even beyond death. Let us go back to I Thessalonians 2:7.
"Even as a nurse cherisheth her children." "Nurse" in this verse speaks of a nourisher. She gives what is needed to grow. In order to provide that which nourishes she sacrifices herself. She is not selfish. Turn to Proverbs 31:10-31. When we read this proverb, we see a perfect example of a wife and a mother with perfect results. No one here is perfect, but I do not see anyone here who would not do these things for your family. You do. I have no doubt you would do more if you were able. The lady in Proverbs 31 was focused on being faithful to her God given responsibility. Turn to Titus 2:3-5. The world system in which we live degrades mothers who are biblical. The greatest thing you can do for your home is to be biblical. Mothers, your greatest accomplishment will be raising your children in the care and admonition of the Lord. Do not let this world system deceive you; they don't even know what a woman is.
Being a mother is not for the faint of heart. Being one who nourishes is not for someone who is lazy or doesn't care. Who is usually the one up with a sick child all hours of the night? Who is the one that changes the most diapers, cleans up puke that is all over everything including herself. It is the mom that spends countless hours over a stove cooking what she has for her household. She is faithful. If us men were to write down all the things our wives do, we would see a remarkable person. Even if we wrote down all that we know, she could add to that list things we do not see or things we take for granted. Moms are truly amazing.
"Cherisheth" in this verse means the care of the saints, to heat, to keep warm; to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care. Have you ever watched a mom with a baby that has a stomach ache? She holds that child close to her, rocking back and forth, and maybe humming or lightly singing a song. Often no one else can minister to that child like the mom can. Mothers, God has given you something special. You truly influence the world. That is a great responsibility.
"Her children." "Children" in this verse speaks of one who is the object of parental love and care, or who yields filial love and reverence toward another. There is a strong positive emotion and affection; an attachment. Nothing and no one can take this away. Even when the children grow up and move out and sometimes away there is a yearning for them. There is joy to see them pull up in the driveway, or to hear them on the phone. This attachment is very strong as we saw with the example of Rizpah in II Samuel 21.
It is a constant battle for the mom to put the husband before the children; especially in our society. She has such a love for her children that it is almost unexplainable. I have shared this before, but I have read where men dying on the battle field are often with their dying breath calling out for their mother. Why? Well, she sure makes everything feel better. They are desiring to be back in the arms of the one they know loves them and cares for them. They desire to be with the one who is faithful to them no matter what.
We know that every story is not a success story, but we know multitudes that are. If you had or have a mom that loves the Lord, you are blessed. As great as moms are they are not substitutes for Christ. He has secured for us what our moms could never secure. The sacrifice of a mother does not compare to the Sacrifice of Christ. He is faithful when our moms are unfaithful. He ever-liveth when our moms die. He loves all who are His with an unconditional love. He loves you and He knows things about you that your mom does not know. It is great to have a mom that loves you, but it is eternal bliss to have a Saviour that loves you. Your mom is not looking down from heaven watching you, but our Saviour Jesus Christ never sleeps and never slumbers. He is actively involved in our lives. Will you look to Him today? He came to seek and save that which was lost, and if He has already saved you then live for Him. He is more worthy than our mothers.
Thank God for mothers. Happy mother's day. To God be the glory.
