Warrior Women of God
Dear Kindred Spirits in Christ,
My thoughts are focused today on the many women, down through the ages, who have fought both personal battles and faith-based wars that changed the outcomes of their personal lives and their families' circumstances, as ultimately, they contributed much to God's plan of salvation.
We read of some of them in the Word. We learn of others through history's accounting. But many will never be known by anyone other than God Himself, and those individuals who were the recipients of their giving hearts and countless prayers.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a woman of great faith, who was blessed by God to serve a unique purpose. She did not fail her Lord, as she suffered the pain that only a mother could experience - for the glorious outcome of His resurrection and the gift of eternal life. I wonder how many prayers she fervently offered as prophesy unfolded.
Then there was Deborah, the only female judge of biblical times, a prophetess who performed judicial functions and led a revolt that helped the Israelites win their freedom from the Canaanites. She bravely relied upon God for all victories and decisions.
The Bible tells us of Lydia, the successful businesswoman, Phoebe, the helper and deaconess, Priscilla, who opened her home to provide for church gatherings, and Miriam, the first female prophetess in the history of Christianity. And there were more, many more.
We can only speculate on the struggles of these women as they performed their God given duties. Yet we know they had them, in this flesh life of trials and tribulations that only faith can overcome. Proverbs 31: 16-17 states: She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms.
Perhaps our field is a different mission. Perhaps our garden consists of loved ones who are nurtured by care and prayerful intervention. If all we are able to do at this point in our lives is pray without ceasing, as we forgive and love, trusting God for our needs as we praise His Holy Name - then we are still Warrior Women of God!
We must keep our gospel armor on from Ephesians 6 and press forward. When our missions are completed, I hope to joyfully greet each of you when we are gathered back to our eternal home...
Love Always,
Marti