God Knows Motherhood

I like the account of the young mother pushing her cart through Wal-Mart. Her daughter, riding in the cart, was constantly screaming and demanding things. Her mom kept saying COMFORTING words… “Now calm down Ellen. It will be alright Ellen. It’s almost time to go home Ellen. Take a deep breathe Ellen. One of the checkout clerks witnessed this and said to her, “Ma’am, you are to be commended at how patient you are with little Ellen.” The mom replied, “Lady…I’m Ellen!”

Yes, Motherhood has its challenging times.

As young children we found our mother’s arms a haven of comfort in which we felt love, protection and encouragement. God uses that experience to communicate His comforting love for us.

In 2 Cor.1:3-4 we read;

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

How does God comfort us? With His love, protection and encouragement. Jer.31:3 states His love;

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

    I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Ps.5:11 reads of His protection;

“Spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

As does Jn.10;

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

And Jesus encouraged in Jn.14:1-3;

““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

“Do not let your hearts be troubled…” Were there ever more comforting words! Our God is The God of all comfort shown to us through Christ Jesus. Then, in Jn.14:16 Jesus promises;

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth;”

The word, “another” is important. First, it shows us that Christ Himself is a comforter who will send “another.” Second, the word “another” means, “of the same kind.” This speaks to the divinity of the Holy Spirit being as much God as Christ. Have you paused to consider the often used maternal language used of the Spirit? Jesus said in Jn.3:7-8;

“‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Comfort is a Trinitarian concern.

When we in fear or sadness, turmoil or uncertainty, pain or hurt, flee to His loving arms we find comfort. The comfort of His presence and the comfort of His word. Again, isn’t this the picture Jesus gives us in Lk.13:34 in speaking of Jerusalem;