THE MOTHERLY QUALITIES OF GOD

THE TWO MINUTE SERMON

THE MOTHERLY QUALITIES OF GOD

(1 John 3:19-20)

How many sermons have we heard on the fatherhood of God? Many more, I would imagine, than on the motherhood of God. Yet God is neither a he nor a she. So, it is just as valid to consider the motherly attributes of God as it is to consider God's fatherly attributes.

I'm not suggesting a change in our reference to God, but I am suggesting that we can understand some of God’s qualities as we think of mothers.

A MOTHER'S WAY OF KNOWING IT ALL

THEOLOGICALLY - we call this omniscience. As a boy, I thought of it as "Omni-painful." My mother had a knack for knowing when I got into trouble. I discovered her secret when I became a parent. A mother can see into the heart because she knows her child so well. No matter how hard we try, something will give our guilt away. When she detects untruth, she will either confront us with it or let us sweat until we "fess up." GOD IS LIKE THAT. He tells us in His Word, "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." (1 John 3:19-20) God knows us inside out. He looks into our hearts to see truth. But, this ability is not used to condemn us. Our own hearts condemn us, but God is greater than our hearts. God can forgive us just like our mothers do.

A MOTHER'S CARE

We often take our mother's routine, everyday care for granted. Most of us do not appreciate all that our mother does until we joined the Navy, or set up house for ourselves. It is the constancy and consistency of her care that gives us a secure, warm trust in life. Those who have never known this kind of care have missed a precious gift.

GOD also can provide security to our life. Jesus told the story of the sparrows to illustrate God's care, especially the everyday, routine care that God provides. 29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10)

A MOTHER'S REASSURING VOICE

A child usually goes to the mother when hurt or frightened. The calm, consoling voice of mother has a way of chasing the “ghosts” away. Jesus told us, “...and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)

God is there, present, and so responsive to our hurts, our fears, and our needs. If we call, God will answer. I knew a young woman who heard God's reassuring voice when she had turned over to God her concerns about becoming a mother herself. She had tired of going from doctor to doctor. Her and her husband had been trying to have a baby for ten years. The fertility doctors didn't seem to have much hope for their situation. She grieved greatly. She finally turned over her infertility to the Lord, saying, "Lord if you want me to serve you without having any children of my own I will, I leave all in your hands." She heard the reassuring voice of God tell her, "You will have children." She didn't question his gentle reassuring voice. Before the year was up, she was pregnant. Today she has not just one child, but children.

A MOTHER'S PROTECTION

Mothers are much more likely to make the mistake of overprotectiveness than fathers are. The growing pains of childhood give gray hairs to mothers. GOD allows us to grow, often through painful events, to strengthen our character. Paul wrote, 3 “And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Romans 5)

Through all of life are troubles but, God protects us under His watchful eye and with His intervening grace.

A MOTHER'S LOVE

No man will ever be able to comprehend the depth of maternal love. We cannot give birth. We may watch and aid, but it is never even close to the experience of giving life. For that reason I believe that more mothers fit the description of the prodigal son's father than fathers. Mothers will never give up on their children. They stand by them through the good and bad times.

Of course GOD can fully understand this maternal instinct. You see, God does give life. The same inseparable bond, which forms between mother and child, forms between God and every human being. God gave you life. God stands ready to receive you back into the family.

Jesus spoke of this to Nicodemus, one of the prominent religious leaders in Jerusalem. 1 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3)

So much of what we celebrate as the best in mothers is also characteristic of God. Mothers are not perfect. They cannot be superhuman. But God can. God is ready to blanket us with omniscient, caring, reassuring, protective, and maternal love.