As I was driving through the Highlands of Scotland, the Lord spoke to me, “Teach women today from women of yesterday.” He dropped a scripture in my heart, “Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things” (Rom. 15:4, TPT).
I began studying the women of the Bible, and they became real. They were real women and were remarkable; some walked with God, some didn’t, but we can learn from both. These are not just Bible stories! They are testimonies of how God used men and women, their mistakes and victories! There is nothing new under the sun.
The one thing they all had to face, like us today, was their attitude toward God.
As I look at the world today, nothing has changed. God is looking for men and women to stand in faith, to open the door for the Holy Spirit to help in our time of need, to lead us and to guide us in the truth that builds our faith and confidence in God.
One of my favorite women is Jochebed. Most Christians don’t know who she is. In the sharing of her testimony, she and her husband were referred to as the parents of Moses (Heb. 11:23).
Everyone knows about Moses! Even the world has made movies about him. Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, but his mother set the stage for the deliverance of her nation. How could she do this? Moses’ parents kept their faith in the middle of suffering in the land of Egypt. What had once been the salvation of Israel had now become a place of bondage and slavery.
The king announced that all baby boys must be cast into the river. Scripture does not make it clear if Jochebed was pregnant yet when this announcement came. She had two children, Aaron and Miriam. How did she feel giving birth, waiting to hear the announcement of the child’s sex: “It’s a boy”?
Hebrews 11:23 (MEV) says, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents for three months, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
“By faith,” because they saw. Faith sees the purposes of God! “By faith,” because, since they saw the purpose of God, they were not afraid of men. Their faith said, “God gives life; He does not kill babies!” Moses was hidden for three months. Jochebed came to a point when she could no longer hide him.
(Author’s Note: Following are my thoughts. Read the testimony in Ex. 2:1-10). I think as she was meditating on God’s Word one day, Jochebed had a vision of her baby in a basket in the river. She placed her baby in a basket and took him to the river, which was to bring death to baby boys. Pharaoh’s daughter “just happened” to come along that day and saw the baby. She saw that the baby was a Hebrew child, and she was filled with compassion. God can fill your enemies with compassion! Miriam, Moses’ sister, came forward and asked if she wanted her to call a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. She responded, “Yes, and I will pay her wages.” Jochebed received wages for nursing her baby. Is this not God meeting all of her needs according to His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19)?
Do you see God’s hand in this? He has not changed. He is searching for men and women to stand up, have confidence in His Word and walk in obedience as they hear His voice and follow Him. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
We can make a difference in this world! There was a time when the Lord had spoken to me about something that was much bigger than me. I was really struggling, and one day I heard, “Joyce, most people never try to do anything for me.”
I began to weep and said, “Lord, I will never be one of them.”
He dropped a scripture in my heart that gave me the courage to step out: “For the Lord God will help me; therefore, I shall not be disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed” (Isa. 50:7).
This word from the Lord has carried me through 35 years of ministry, stretching me beyond my limits and giving me the strength to walk on the water of His Word.
When David was facing Goliath he said, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29b, NKJV). I’m challenging you today, Is there not a cause? You can make a difference! God needs men and women today who can say, “I see the purpose of God, and I will not fear men!” {eoa}
Joyce Tilney is founder of Women of God Ministries, teaching women today from women of yesterday, and author of The Real Woman Grows Roses From the Thorns of Life, available on Amazon. Visit her on Facebook: facebook.com/WomenofGodMinistries/ and whydiets.com, or email [email protected].
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett 
