Hebrews 11:23-27

People ask, “What can we do with this generation? How will we rescue them? We’d better try something new.” I disagree. We’d better try something old: return to the truth in the Word of God. It’s the only force great enough to turn this generation around. In my mind, the most powerful influence on earth today is a godly mother’s faith and prayers. She can change the direction of her children’s lives and through them change the world.

In the “Heroes of Faith” chapter, Hebrews 11, when God mentions Moses, He begins with the faith of his parents, Amram and Jochebed. Their faith helped Moses become a great man of God. By faith they hid him from Pharaoh’s murderous soldiers (v. 23). They not only saved him from death, but his mother built his foundation in God so strong that “when he became of age” (v. 24), Moses responded from his own place of faith. With the strong start she gave him, he grew to become one of God’s greatest servants.

Jochebed raised a son who changed history. If you’re a mother, may this prayer rise from your heart: “Oh God, above all, make me a mother of faith.” His Word is full of promises to you. When God has a big job to do, faith gets the assignment. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).

Jochebed and Moses embody five key aspects of being a person of faith. 

Faith’s Vision gets a promise from God

Faith’s vision sees the promises in the Word of God. Moses’ parents saw him through the eyes of faith. Mothers, no one can have faith apart from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Your faith will either grow or fizzle based upon the time you spend seeking God in His Word. See your children with Faith’s Vision, as Jochebed saw Moses. Get a promise from the Word of God and help them mature through your faithful instruction.

Faith’s Venture begins to act on God’s promises

Moses’ mother took action. She hid him from Pharaoh’s soldiers. By faith, she did all she could do. If you don’t do something, putting put your faith into action, it’s not faith at all. If you want your child to be mighty for God, you’d better get to work, “training them up in the way they should go….” (Proverbs 22:6).

There’s a difference between teaching and training. Training is to prepare for a contest, to instruct by exercise, to drill, to discipline for use. God wants us to train our children. Are you training them by example and precept in your home?

If you neglect to train them, someone will, and they’ll depart. When they’re trained, it becomes a part of their life. Even in rebellion, there’s the restraining power of a mother’s love and training. 

Faith’s Valor has no fear

People say, “These are such fearful days.” The Bible prepares us for that in 2 Timothy 3:1. Godly people should be raising a godly generation to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ, unafraid, taking a position of faith. Find a good church and get in it. If you’re in a liberal church, get out of it. If the pastor doesn’t believe the Bible is the Word of God, don’t put your children in that church. It’s dangerous. Yes, we live in desperate days, but thank God for mothers and fathers of faith.

Faith’s Victory overcomes the world

God miraculously answered Jochebed’s faithful prayers. Not only was Moses’ life spared, but Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him, while Jochebed continued instilling in Moses a love for God. You talk about victory—God intervened! Faith is the victory that overcomes.

Mothers, believe God. Be women of faith, daily training your children with “precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:10).

Faith’s Values remain long after you’re gone

As Pharaoh’s grandson, Moses would have been next in line for the kingdom. But he chose to suffer with God’s people, valuing the reproach of Christ more than the pleasures of Egypt.

A great battle rages over values. Show your children the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ, so when their moment of decision comes, they’ll say, “I choose Christ.”

Mothers, faith’s values will last even after you are gone. May you put in the work to become—and allow God to make you—a mother of faith.