Psalm 113:9 He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.

The vast majority of the Psalms are stated or assumed to have been written by men. However, this verse gives me the impression that this Psalm might well have been written by a woman. The vast majority of women were illiterate, with most rabbis even in Jesus’ day refusing to teach females. However, that wouldn’t have stopped a poetic spirit, though it might have hindered it. This particular Psalm is entirely praise, with no mention of the sins of mankind. The focus in general is on how God lifts up those who would otherwise be powerless, and this verse, the climax, focuses on women being able to have children. I am reminded of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, in 1 Samuel, who pours forth what is actually a beautiful Psalm in the 2^nd chapter, though it is not included in the collection with that name. Throughout history the biological differences between men and women have led to all sorts of distortions. For starters, the greater muscle mass in men has led to a power imbalance, and all sorts of things have followed from that. One of the more scandalous things about Jesus’ ministry was that He allowed women to follow Him, even letting them sit at His feet as disciples. (Luke 10:38-42) I find it very significant that the first human eyes allowed to see Jesus after His resurrection were those of Mary Magdalene. (John 20) For men who are stuck in misogyny, I would point out that none of us would exist without a woman having given birth to us! However, equality in value and gifting doesn’t mean sameness. One of the tragedies of modern society is the push to say that women are the same as men. It is the very differences that make things interesting, and beautiful. That’s why homosexual marriage is such an abomination: it denies the differences God created in order for us to be in His image. That can blow our minds intellectually, because God is One, but facts are facts. That’s not to say that, in most areas, women can’t do whatever men can do, or vice versa, but it is to say that the differences are to be recognized and even celebrated. Every human being alive is more blessed, more satisfied, when they operate in the unique abilities God has given them, starting with their physical bodies.

This is close to home for me in a number of ways. My maternal grandfather, W. O. Carver, is currently rather out of favor with the Southern Baptist Convention, even though he played a major role in their history. He founded the oldest continuing Department of Missions in the world, in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and recognizing the unique gifting of women, also founded the Carver School of Missions (which has since been absorbed into the seminary). This was to give a theological education to women who were called by God, because at that point they were excluded from regular seminaries. At one point, over half the missionaries of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board were graduates of that school, either as single missionaries or as missionary wives. My own mother came to Japan as a single missionary, and married my father here. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife who is different from me in practically every area, but far exceeds me in several of them. I couldn’t begin to count how many times she has heard the Lord more accurately than I have. A significant part of our ministry is in being a demonstration of God’s plan for mankind in marriage and family, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for Your incredible grace to Cathy and me. May we indeed fulfill all Your purposes for us, as individuals and as a couple, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!