And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. (Ex. 1:21)
The late senator John McCain has been called many things, from an American hero, to a patriot, to a bridge builder. However, what fascinated me about his life is how he was honored after his death. Because he was a public figure, one may have agreed or disagreed with his politics, but what was clear was his impact on people’s lives and the trust he gained on both sides of the aisle. I remember vividly how he detested the abuse of power in any form and how he defended his opponent, Barack Obama, while on the presidential campaign trail. It reminds me of what Bill Clinton said about Mother Teresa when she spoke against the violence of abortion at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994. He said, “It is hard to argue with a life so well-lived.”
In this story, the midwives are also honored for their courage and shown great favor for their kindness. God rewards them and multiplies the numbers of Israelites to the dismay of the king. I believe God wants to honor you and your faithfulness as well.
Where is there one more ounce of courage in you to speak up, stand up, or stand out today? Often those who do so are misunderstood, labeled, and ostracized. May we never forget that in those moments, our behavior should be for an audience of One.
Consider whether you’ve observed an abuse of power that requires your attention.
Santes Beatty is director of multiethnic ministries for The Wesleyan Church.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
