A Mother’s Promise

LIVE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:31-32 NKJ).

Imagine the feeling Mary must have experienced receiving such a prophecy. No doubt there was a mix of honor and fear, excitement and anxiety. The weight of responsibility to bear the Messiah must have been overwhelming. There was also the implication of uncertainty. How would she tell Joseph? What would he say? The shame and possible banishment in having a child before marriage was severe in those days. No one would believe that this was truly a miracle of God! 

The initial promises concerning this child were grand. The messenger went on to say, “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33 NKJ). The angel also declared, “That Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (vs. 35). How would it be to know that your child held such a destiny? 

Unfortunately, that was not the last prophecy. There were more insights to come concerning what was in store for Mary, and not all of them were so grand. In the Temple when Jesus was just eight days old, Simeon uttered a joyous prophecy, “My eyes have seen Your salvation … A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” However, he also saw that, “This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel,” and to the young mother, “… yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:30, 32, 34-35 NKJ).

No doubt Mary remembered some of these predictions when she stood at the cross and wept bitter tears of anguish. The three days following the crucifixion were probably the darkest days she had ever experienced. To see all her hopes and prophecies crushed by death and the tomb may have caused her to question all that she dreamed for her son. The news of the resurrection brought the joy of new hope and renewed dreams. 

The pain of motherhood is not just in giving birth, but in the dread of all that may happen to your child. There is the fear of losing them, of accidents, or disease. There is the possible pain of rebellion and rejection of your guidance and love. The emotions of motherhood are very real and there are no guarantees for a perfect life and perpetual peace. Most assuredly there will be challenges, sleepless nights, and disappointments. 

However, it will not all be negative. There will be wonderful moments of celebration in life, joyful stages of growth and development, and wonderful moments where expressions of love are spontaneous. Motherhood is painful and fulfilling. It is filled with joy and sometimes gripped with grief. There will be moments of anger, but many more reasons to laugh!

No other mother will have a Messiah, but every mom dreams of success for their children. It’s always right to pray for great opportunities to come to their lives, and health, wealth, and happiness to fill their days. 

Let your life be filled with hope and trust in God to lead your children in His path.  


Theme passage:
“Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you” (John 14:19-20 TPT).