What could sing more perfectly than scripture?

This Mother’s Day, I offer you I Chronicles 16:8-36, with related encouragements between the stanzas of this ancient song of Asaph, as appointed by King David–

8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

As moms, how often do we seek the Lord–asking Him to help us, to guide us, to equip us? As we look to Him, we’re able to persevere in the difficult times, deliver patience in the trying times, and relish the responsibility of being moms to our children, at all times!

12 Remember the wonders he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
14 He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.

For each of us, there are wonders of God’s love and reminders of His miracles in our roles as mothers. Some have experienced becoming moms through the natural arrival of biological children. For others, children have come through fostering, via adoption, or by marrying someone with children. Each of us is God’s chosen one for the children in our care, and each of these precious ones were chosen for us, for such a time as this.

15 He remembers[c] his covenant forever,
    the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant he made with Abraham,
    the oath he swore to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
    as the portion you will inherit.”

Just as God’s promises were passed down through the generations, beginning with His covenant with Abraham, so, too, are His promises “Yes–and amen!” to us. And as moms, we pass these biblical promises on to our children, even from the time they’re in our wombs or in our arms as wee ones. Such is a legacy of God’s lavish love through us to those we cherish and are called to hold accountable.

19 When they were but few in number,
    few indeed, and strangers in it,
20 they[d] wandered from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another.
21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
    do my prophets no harm.”

Just as the children of Israel wandered, many times due to their own sinfulness, such is true for our children. As mothers, we stand with them, praying for wisdom to guide them, interceding on their behalf to the One who loves them most, their Abba Father. We, too–with the authority of our Savior, wielding God’s Word–can speak boldly to the enemy who seeks to devour them, proclaiming–“Do not touch my anointed ones and don’t harm my children.”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Sing over your children, dear mothers. Dance and play and rejoice with them, declaring God’s goodness and His salvation. We have been called to this amazing, miraculous position. Yes–to be a mother!

25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

Moms, many things will vie for our children’s attention, as idols linger everywhere. Teach them while they’re young that God alone is worthy of our praise. He’s to be honored and respected, with one’s actions, words, and thoughts. Encourage being a part of the Body of Christ–His Bride, the Church–by participating in regular worship. After all, it’s within His dwelling place that strength and joy are found!

28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[e] holiness.
30     Tremble before him, all the earth!
    The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

God thought up families from the beginning–the first being Adam and Eve, who weren’t spared the hardships and sorrows of loss due to sin. One of their own sons died, the result of another’s jealousy and hatred over an acceptable offering given to God. That which most pleases the Lord is a contrite heart, and with such He can do much! We must instill in our children the value of worship, because God dwells in the praises of His people. And as we mothers build our families upon the firm foundation found in the Bible–God’s best!–no matter what losses, sorrows, or disasters this world brings, our children will not be moved!

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
    let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
    let them sing for joy before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.

Mothers, what joy to encourage our children to see God in His creation–not to worship the earth or the sea or anything found in nature but, rather, to thank Him for His goodness in calling us to be good stewards! Only then will we hear heaven and nature sing in harmony, “The Lord reigns!”

34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
    gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
    and glory in your praise.”
36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.

One day, we, mothers, will be gone. What will we have left with our children? What legacy will we have passed on? What will they remember was important to us in our lifetimes? Will it be God first, then family? Will they remember that we prayed with them and for them? Will they remember that we laughed often and cried too? Though we will pass away, our children as well, from everlasting to everlasting, God was, is and will be. Let our legacy be that of eternity.

Amen!