Bulletins - Keystone Presbyterian Church

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Gloria Patri
Doxology
Proverbs 31 is often referenced in sermons on Mother’s Day, but I won’t be focusing on it this year. If I am not talking about this passage, then why am I mentioning it. It is possible you will hear it or be reminded of it and no one should feel pressured to meet unrealistic standards based on this passage. Instead, let’s remember that your value and worth are not determined by someone else’s interpretation of this proverb.
This proverb isn’t really talking about motherhood and shouldn’t be used as a measure of womanhood or motherhood. It is about wisdom. If a woman tried to live up to the standard of Proverbs 31, she would quickly become exhausted and overwhelmed trying to meet every expectation outlined in Proverbs 31.
What does the Bible teach us about women and motherhood, and how can we all—and I mean men and women—apply these lessons to our lives? While it's often easier for women to relate to these qualities, the biblical perspective on motherhood extends far beyond the act of giving birth. Motherhood, as described in Scripture, encompasses nurturing, teaching, protecting, and guiding. These characteristics are not limited to biological mothers; they are qualities that anyone can embody as they care for others.
Motherhood is frequently defined as a woman who gives birth to a child, but there is much more to being a mother than simply bringing life into the world. The traits associated with motherhood—such as nurturing, guiding, and protecting—can be practiced by anyone who cares for others, regardless of gender. These qualities offer valuable lessons that everyone can learn and apply.
To understand what it truly means to be a mother, we turn to the Bible, which provides several passages that present God as the ultimate example of motherhood. To be a mother, we must strive to be more Christlike and follow the heart of God. This means looking closely at God’s heart and learning from His actions and attributes.
It is important to acknowledge a common objection before going further. The Bible clearly refers to God as our Father and frequently describes Him as the Father within the Trinity. There is no doubt about this. However, throughout Scripture, God’s heart is also revealed in ways that reflect characteristics commonly associated with women and mothers. When we examine God’s heart, we often find descriptions that align with nurturing, compassionate, and protective qualities traditionally attributed to motherhood.
So, let’s look at a few verses and see what I mean. The first is Isaiah 49:15
Isaiah 49:15 CSB
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.
1 God is the Ultimate Comforter
God is the ultimate comforter.
This passage reassures us that God's love for Israel is unwavering, surpassing even the deepest bond between a mother and her child. Verse 15 emphasizes that God will always remember Israel, no matter what circumstances arise. To illustrate this, the passage compares God's remembrance to a mother’s enduring love for the child she has raised.
A mother who has given birth and cared for a child holds an unbreakable connection, even if the child might someday forget her. Even women who haven’t given birth can still nurture and love others deeply, forming bonds they can never forget. Yet, even if a mother could forget her child—a nearly impossible thought—God will never forget His children. His compassion is greater and more steadfast than any earthly relationship.
Just as a mother’s embrace soothes a hurting child, God’s presence offers comfort and hope in our moments of loneliness or doubt. Mothers are natural comforters, always ready to reassure, heal, and support their children when they need it most.
But God; God is the ultimate comforter. As a child of God, no matter how many times you might forget Him or try to go your own way, He will never, never ever, forget you. This is a central promise: God's love and remembrance are constant, offering hope and assurance to all whom He calls His children.
Let’s look at another example of what the Bible teaches us about motherhood.
In Matthew we read:
Matthew 23:37–39 CSB
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’!”
2 Jesus shares a mother’s sorrow
Jesus understands and shares a mother’s sorrow.
Jesus is standing in the temple in Jerusalem. But let’s remember who Jesus is. Jesus is the King. He stands in that position but even as the King he doesn’t distance Himself from His kingdom, or today we might say His church. He still has an intimate relationship with His elect.
And the way He describes the desired relationship is like that of a mother hen. Have you ever seen a mother hen protecting her chicks?
Look at this picture.
I think in today’s society we want to hold the father’s up as the protectors, and no doubt, that is a role though functionally it is different. A father goes forth with armor and sword to fight for his.
A mother gathers her chicks to her, spreads her wings, puts her chicks under her wings.
That is a tender, loving and intimate act. It shows us that God and Jesus are tender, caring, and sorrowful. We don’t often look at Jesus as being sorrowful as a mother. But He is. Think about that picture.
Jesus longs to bring all His chicks to him yet there are some who reject that love. And for those, Jesus shows sorrow. I think a mother feels the sting of rejected love in many different ways.
In Matthew 23, Israel was not willing to let Jesus gather them under His wings. Are you?
Jesus’s love was so deep, so dear that He willingly went to the cross to die just so He could gather His people. Can we accept that love or will we reject Him?
Let’s look at another motherly description. Turn in your Bible to the book of Hosea.
Hosea 11:3–4 CSB
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they never knew that I healed them. 4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.
3 The God Who Nurtures
God not only brings us to life but in life He nurtures us.
In Hosea 11:3-4, God is depicted as a parent lovingly teaching Ephraim to walk, healing them, and gently guiding them, demonstrating tender, motherly care. This passage shows God nurturing, feeding, and caring for Ephraim in the way a mother cares for her young child.
Motherhood, as depicted in Scripture, is characterized by patient, ever-present nurturing. This quality reflects the mothering aspect of God’s relationship with His people. The patience mothers show when teaching their children mirrors God's enduring patience with us. Similarly, a mother's compassion during difficult times reflects the boundless compassion God offers His people.
God does not shape our lives solely through force, authority, or discipline. Instead, He is a God who nurtures, teaches, loves, and has compassion for us. Like a mother supporting her child’s first steps, God is always present, guiding us, and ready to catch us when we stumble. This motherly care is a powerful reminder of how God’s love is expressed through gentle guidance and support.
Yet, Hosea’s passage notes that Ephraim failed to recognize God’s healing and care. Just as Ephraim overlooked God’s nurturing presence, we too often miss the quiet support that shapes our lives—both divine and maternal.
Many of us share Ephraim’s illusion of self-sufficiency. We consider being called a “self-made man,” or woman, a compliment and believe we have accomplished things entirely on our own. However, both our achievements and our ability to persevere are deeply influenced by unseen hands—God’s and those of nurturing mothers in our lives.
We may have felt alone in our efforts, but in truth, nothing we have done has been without the help and support of God. Just as mothers stand quietly behind their children, offering encouragement and assistance, God’s presence is always with us, even when we don’t recognize it.
Biblical writers often use language describing motherhood to convey the heart of God. While everyone’s experience with their own mother may differ—sometimes falling short of perfection—this only emphasizes the point that earthly mothers are not perfect, nor are we perfect children of God. Nonetheless, motherhood reflects God’s heart for us. The patience, compassion, and guidance mothers provide teach us so much about God’s love, expanding our understanding beyond the concept of God as Father.
When we speak of motherhood, we honor women who have nurtured and guided others, whether or not they have given birth. Motherhood is one of the greatest ways God’s care for His people is expressed in the world. Just as God’s loving presence is often subtle and unrecognized, so too is the maternal care that shapes our lives.
Even when we stray from God, His heart continually yearns for us, working to bring us back so He can cover His children with the wings of His love. Just as mothers never stop caring for their children, God’s love remains steadfast, always reaching out to nurture, heal, and guide us.
Let’s pray.
God of all peace,
We thank You for women For their nurture, For their unnoticed sacrifices, And for their care that showed us What Your love looks like before we knew Your name.
We praise You for the way Your heart is reflected in motherhood. We ask You to make our hearts more like Yours each day.
We remember those for whom this is a hard day, Those who grieve, who ache, or who are wounded, Be their comfort, Lord.
Teach us to honor women With gratitude instead of demand, With humility instead of neglect And with love rooted in You.
Amen.
- - Isaiah 49:15CSB
- - Matthew 23:37–39CSB
- - Hosea 11:3–4CSB

Isaiah 49:15CSB

Matthew 23:37–39CSB

Hosea 11:3–4CSB