Hope for Weary Moms: A 5-Day Devotional Exemplo

Ancient warfare was vastly different from modern warfare, and that’s especially evident by the development of military weaponry. Unlike today, the arrows of a warrior long ago were valuable and necessary. If he lacked them, he could be in grave danger of falling to his enemies in battle. But with sufficient arrows, his life could be safely protected.

Psalm 127:4–5 likens children to a warrior’s arrows. The mother whose quiver is full of them is blessed. We all have different sized quivers. Some quivers are filled with one arrow, and some are filled with many more. No matter how many arrows fill our quivers (no matter how many children fill our homes), we’re blessed to have each one.

In ancient times, children contributed to the stability and success of the family with their skills and labor and by continuing the family name. Every child was a valuable and needful provision from the Lord for “building the house” and “guarding the city” (Ps. 127:1). Children were expected to defend and preserve the honor and lives of their loved ones, especially their parents in old age. The sacrifices of early motherhood bore the fruit of safety and security in a mother’s later years.

We have a God-given opportunity to help shape and aim our arrows—our children—toward making helpful contributions to our families and communities, but even more so toward knowing Christ, honoring him, and doing his kingdom work. Crooked arrows don’t hit the target. In fact, they can be quite dangerous if they stray. Set yourself to the task of straightening your arrows by teaching them obedience to you and to God’s word, and by introducing them to Christ and the gospel of his saving grace.

As you seek to be a faithful mother in these ways, remember that you cannot ultimately change or save your children. That is God’s work, but with his wisdom and guidance you can aim them in the right direction. God simply calls us to pursue godly motherhood, entrusting the outcome to him: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).

Weary mom, don’t give up! Persevere with full dependence on the grace and strength of the Lord. Your children will rise to bless you, and in God’s time, you’ll enjoy the sweet fruit of your labors.