In the wake of an hour in America, just a week after the loss of men and women who lost their lives while protecting our freedom, our hearts go out to the loved ones of the 3o Navy Seals. They served our country well and paid the ultimate price for us.
I think about the women who would be a great comfort to the mom, the sister, the grandmother who are feeling a great loss. Women like the Levite, who made a basket for her infant son and laid him in it so he could float in a river (Exodus 2:1-10), to be found by the Pharaoh’s daughter. The Egyptian women would then keep him as her son, and name him Moses. There was Hannah, who dedicated her little boy to the Lord and left him to live with Eli, the priest (1 Samuel 1). Then there is the mother who knew she was entrusted with the greatest gift of all… He would also make the greatest sacrifice one day (Luke 1:26-38).
As women, God has given us the gift of motherhood, but it doesn’t come without sacrifice. Like the Levite woman, Hannah, and Mary, we must surrender our children to God and put our trust in Him. But God says, “Even if a giant grips the plunder and a tyrant holds my people prisoner, I’m the one who’s on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children” (Isaiah 49:25 message). He’ll take care of them, like He did for the little infant floating in a basket.
When we allow God to lead us in our motherhood role, He can use your obedience to prepare great leaders like Moses, who lead His people out of Egypt, and Samuel who became King of Israel. And what became of Mary’s baby boy? He gave His life for us and became sin, so that we can choose to live in Him. Whatever the cost may be, whatever the sacrifice that may be required, we can know that God has a plan for our children and we can trust Him to accomplish what He wants to do through them.
Moses, Samuel and Jesus all had mothers who have walked in your shoes, and in the shoes of those that are grieving because they have lost a child. They know what it’s like to put their trust in their God, even when it means that they have to let go of their most precious gift, and allow God to use them to become something great for Him. When Hannah brought her son to live in the House of the Lord, she prayed this prayer:
I’m bursting with God-news! I’m walking on air. I’m laughing at my rivals. I’m dancing my salvation. Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God. Don’t dare talk pretentiously— not a word of boasting, ever! For God knows what’s going on. He takes the measure of everything that happens. The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces, while the weak are infused with fresh strength. The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts, while the hungry are getting second helpings. The barren woman has a houseful of children, while the mother of many is bereft. God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle. God’s enemies will be blasted out of the sky, crashed in a heap and burned. God will set things right all over the earth, he’ll give strength to his king, he’ll set his anointed on top of the world!
(1 Samuel 2:1-11message)
As we lift up a grieving nation in prayer, and remember our fallen soldiers as great men who served well, we can do as Hannah did. We can dedicate our future leaders to God and rejoice, knowing that we can trust Him to “set HIS anointed on top of the world”.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5 ESV)