Protecting What God Has Entrusted

Monday, May 11

Deuteronomy 22:6-7 (NKJV)

““If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;you shall surely let the mother go, and take the young for yourself, that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.”

Devotion

At first glance, this passage may seem like a simple instruction about caring for wildlife. But beneath it is a powerful principle of honor, restraint, and respect for life, especially the one who carries and nurtures life.

In Scripture, the mother bird represents provision, protection, and sacrifice. God commands His people not to harm the mother, even when taking what is useful or valuable. There is something sacred about the one who gives life and sustains it.

In a spiritual sense, this becomes a type and shadow of how we are to treat mothers today. Mothers are often the unseen protectors, sacrificing comfort, strength, sleep, and sometimes their own dreams for the sake of their children. As Pastor Franklin highlighted in his Mother’s Day message yesterday, mothers carry weight that is often unnoticed but deeply significant in the eyes of God.

God’s heart is clear: what nurtures life is not to be harmed, dismissed, or dishonored. Instead, it is to be valued and protected. When we honor mothers, we are aligning ourselves with God’s design for covering, care, and gratitude.

There is a promise attached to honor in this passage: “that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.” Honor is not just obedience, it is a posture that invites blessing.

Mothers reflect God’s nurturing heart. Even in their imperfections, they often mirror patience, endurance, and sacrificial love. To dishonor them is to misunderstand something sacred about how God chooses to bring life, growth, and stability into families. Honor her. Protect her. Cover her.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for the gift of mothers and all those who nurture and sustain life. Forgive me for the times I have taken their sacrifice for granted or failed to honor them well. Give me a heart that values what You value and a spirit that responds with gratitude, respect, and care. Teach me to protect and honor those You have entrusted to me, that my life may reflect Your heart. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Take time today to intentionally honor and protect the “life-givers” God has placed in your world, especially your mother or mother figures. This may look like speaking words of gratitude, lightening their load through practical help, or choosing restraint in areas where frustration or carelessness could cause harm. Ask God to help you see their sacrifice clearly and respond with honor, not entitlement.

Resources

• If you missed yesterday’s special Mother’s Day message, “The Blessing of The Mother Bird,” take a moment to go back and watch it. It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrificial love of mothers and God’s desire for them to be honored.

• Download this week’s wallpaper, a simple daily reminder that small acts of kindness carry dynamic, life-changing power. Wallpaper