Leading Ladies
The Bible is full of wonderful women! I have written and preached about may of them and have learned powerful lessons for my life from their lives. This “Leading Ladies” section is a sort of written portrait galary of some of the key women in God’s Word and in the history of our faith. The ten women on the following pages represent many of the trials and triumphs that women today can identify with and understand. In these articles, I have tried to offer pieces of hope for every woman who reads this book. You’ll find something for older women, something for abused women, something for desperate women, something for women with health problems, and something for those who are broken and bitter.
I hope you’ll gain strength and encouragement as you read about these woman of God. I pray that you will see yourself as you wander through this gallery of leading ladies.
Naomi
Ruth 1-4
Some women never find their reason for living until their latter years. Until she found her purpose, Naomi was a bitter woman. In fact, she said, “Do not call me Naomi (which means “my joy”); call me Mara (which means “bitterness”). I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty” (see Ruth 1:20). When Naomi started out as a young wife, she had everything. But at the end, she had nothing.
She lost her husband and two sons, but she rediscovered her purpose and recycled her life. And look what happened! As she began to nurse her grandchild. Obed, and teach him her faith, she planted the seed of faith for future generations. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of King David!
How could Naomi have known that Obed would be an ancestor of the Messiah? How could she have known that Ruth, the daughter-in-law who refused to leave her, was placed by God in the family tree of Jesus, His Son? How could this winter woman have known that her legacy would outlive her by thousands of years?
No doubt Naomi knew discouragement well. No doubt there were times she wanted to roll over and die. But if she had given in to the temptation to give up, she would have stopped short of God’s restoration,. She would have gone to her grave never knowing what blessing God was about to pour out for her. She would have died in bitterness without having tasted His joy.
My sister, the timing of the Lord defies human reason. To those of you whose dreams have been denied thus far in your life, hang on. To those whose past seems unredeemable, keep standing strong. To those for whom the future looks blank and empty, do not roll over and die. Stand against thoughts that whisper, “You’re too old for this. God can’t do anything else with you. You’re all used up and all worn out. “Whoever you are, what ever your situation, do not give up. Do not stop short of the Lord’s plan for your life. You may be stuck in a rut today, but one touch of God in your life can bring unspeakable joy.
You may look like a little old lady to some people, but they just can’t see your might. They don’t know that little old ladies can move heaven and earth by the power of prayer. They don’t know that some of god’s toughest warriors are elderly women. They don’t know that wrinkled hands can be lifted in powerful praise and feeble knees can march!
You are never too old for God. You are never too used up to be of service in His kingdom. A life’s worth of lessons are yours. You have learned faith and practiced patients. You know ho to listen. You have developed a friendship with God that can only exist because you have walked with Him day after day, year after year. You have stored the treasures of mercy and compassion in your heart and you possess the secrets of seasoned wisdom that only comes with time.
Like Naomi, perhaps the Lord has saved the best for last in your life. You must endure and not give in. God has more in store for you than you know. Life must go full-circle. God’s plan must be worked out in God’s time. Older women, you are jewels in the crowns of heaven. You offer gifts that no one else can. Keep the light in your eyes and the fire in your hearts burning brightly. God isn’t finished with you yet.