May 8, 2022
I greet you all in the name of our Lord! “Mother’s Day” wishes to all mothers reading this message. The word ‘Mother’ immediately brings this verse to our memory “As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:13).
‘Mother’ is a symbol of love, compassion, and kindness. God has specially equipped a woman with the ability to console and comfort others with love and compassion. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can comfort us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). A mother’s love supersedes everything else.
In the Bible we read about the life of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4: 8-37.The Shunammite woman was a notable lady in Israel. Whenever Elisha came to Shunem for ministry, she always enquired of his welfare with concern and made arrangements for his stay. She was such a person of love, care, and concern. Having experienced her warm hospitality and care, Elisha purposed in his heart to do something for her. So, he called the Shunammite woman and enquired how he could help her. But she kept mum. Then Elisha came to know through Gehazi that she was yet to bear a child. Elisha blessed her saying, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” (2 Kings 4:16,17). In the same way, the woman conceived and bore a son when the appointed time had come, just as Elisha had told her. Thus, the Shunammite woman was greatly blessed because of her compassionate nature.
Then, there came a test to the Shunammite’s faith. The son born due to Elisha’s prayers died due to a severe headache. But she was steadfast in her faith in God. She carried the boy up to Elisha’s room, put him on the bed, and left, closing the door behind her. She informed her husband that she was going to meet Elisha at Mount Carmel for a good cause. With faith in God and hope in her heart she went to meet Elisha. When Elisha came to know of the situation, he hastened with her to see the boy. And brought him back to life. That was how God blessed her to live with happiness and peace despite the challenging circumstances. The Shunammite woman had a fulfilling experience because God blessed her and enabled her to have a peaceful life.
God has given every woman the same qualities that the Shunammite woman had – to be compassionate and to comfort others. But many of us do not exhibit these qualities. Let us strengthen our faith, receive His compassionate nature, and extend comfort and consolation to others. Then we will be richly blessed just like the Shunammite woman. The Bible says: “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”(Psalms 29:11).
The Lord has already blessed us with a comforting spirit. Start exercising your faith by demonstrating this. Then He will bless you richly with His wholesome blessings.
Prayer: Loving Lord Jesus, Thank you for this day. You are a God who comforts us like a mother comforts us. Just like you comforted the Shunammite woman and made her a blessing to others, give us the grace to show these qualities of compassion and care to others. Strengthen our faith and keep us as a blessing to others. Help us to take care of our family with wisdom and peace.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
