Meditation for the week of May 13, 2007
Psalm 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Mother’s certainly are important. They bring life into this world and they nurture their children in the hope that they will “become responsible human beings†and perhaps “make a differenceâ€. But what is a responsible human being and what difference can any of us make?
The first mother, Eve, made a difference by disobeying God and bringing sin into the world. Because of her lack of obedience, she brought up a child who murdered his brother. Murder and killing has been a part of the fallen nature of man ever since. I think that before Eve left the Garden of Eden, she had already turned away from her sin of doing what she thought was right, to doing what God told her was right. She was forgiven by a husband that loved her so much that he was willing to leave paradise to be with her. According to 1 Timothy 2:14, Adam was not deceived so when Eve offered him the forbidden fruit, I believe that he knew what the consequences would be if he took it. And she was forgiven by her Creator who provided for her nakedness by shedding the blood of animals and clothing her with their skins. Nevertheless, the consequences of her sin have endured through generations. Eve was important.
Mary was the mother of the Lord Jesus. She had the privilege of bringing the “Word that was made flesh†(John 1:14) into the world. She was a sinner just like the rest of the human race, but she was a worshiper of the one true God. He Baby grew up to provide for the mistake of Eve. Her Baby was born to die on an old rugged cross. Mary experienced sorrow because she had been chosen to give birth and to raise the One who was to be the Savior of the world. Mary was important.
But just what do mother’s really accomplish? They bring children into the world, and make great sacrifices for them and for what? Some of the children continue fighting the wars of Cain and Able. Others will have all that this life can offer, houses and wives and families and friends and jobs with authority. They will also bring more children into the world and make great sacrifices for them and for what? So that each generation can bring more children into the world and make great sacrifices for them. David who was looking at things from a natural point of view felt that man at his best was vanity or empty or a breath. Solomon who had everything said that all was vanity or empty or futile in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Many people are concerned that the human race could be destroyed through global warming and weapons of mass destruction. I do not think that man can do this until after the Lord reigns on this earth for a thousand years. However, if mankind were to be destroyed, what difference would it make in the grand scheme of the universe? Will the fact that the cycle of life has ceased and that mothers are no longer producing and raising offspring, change the universe in any way? Will the sun quit shining, will the stars lose their brilliance, will the universe be damaged if this old earth were to cease being the universe’s Garden of Eden? Probably in the grand scheme of things, we don’t make much difference except to the God who created us. Yes, if we destroy ourselves, He would be the One who would be cheated out of the love and affection of those that He has put on this earth. The fact that there is a God who made us and wants to have fellowship with us, is the only thing that makes what Mother’s do have meaning in my mind.
Therefore, Mother’s need to teach their children about Eve and sin. They need to teach their children about Mary and salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus. Children who live life for self may have a number of enjoyable years on this planet, but ultimately their lives are meaningless. Children who glorify God are fulfilling the purpose for which God made them and gave them life. Their lives have meaning.
Mothers are important.
Bruce Collins