Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

27 May 2024

Reading From Psalms 111-118

“Truly I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.”

–Psalm 116:16

     Scripture is filled with wonderful examples of godly women mentoring sons and daughters in life and faith.  God created Adam and Eve, male and female in His image.  There is no part of the Most High God that is inferior in any way.  That should inform the way that we see men and women.  We are all image bearers of the Creator and Sustainer of all things.  Everyone has value and if they have chosen to believe in God and His Word, then we have a story to tell of how the Lord has intervened in our lives.  Women play an integral role in the eternal family of God.

     As we read through the book of Judges, we witnessed the courageous leadership of Deborah.  Not only did she function as supreme court justice of Israel, she also led the people as a kind of prime minister and military commander.  Here we see the psalmist recognizing the example of his mother in raising Him in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  In the New Testament, Apollos, who was an up-and-coming leader in the church, was discipled in the deeper truths of God by Priscilla and her husband Aquilla.  Scripture lists her first for the probable reason that she was stronger and/or more advanced in walking with the Lord than her spouse. 

     I am grateful for the spiritual mentorship of my own mother who has always set a godly example for her family.  She is hard working, compassionate, intelligent, beautiful and wise.  Part of what is so wonderful about serving the Lord is that in His grace and mercy He shows us how to move forward in faith when we make mistakes.  Even as we falter, we can set a good example by confessing our sin, turning away from it and to God, and resting in the forgiveness and acceptance of Jesus.  Every testimony is valuable and ought to be shared.  May the Lord bless You as we reflect together as the psalmist did on the women who have tremendous, faithful influence in our lives.

“Jesus, I pray You would bless every woman in a special way.  Reveal to them how much they are loved and cared for by You.  I ask that You urge us all in Your family to cherish and respect the women in our lives.  May You bless them with wisdom, courage, fortitude, resilience and peace.  In the strong and mighty Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

–II Timothy 1:5