The Worshipping Heart of Women in the Scriptures

by Lynda Sheha

Reading through the Bible, you come across several women who worship God. God has never been gender biased in dealing with his people, even in women, we see him coming through for them. Three of them, however, stand out to me, as they represent 3 different reasons for worshiping and the true character of a worshiper.

Miriam (Exodus 15: 20-21)

Deliverance

Miriam steps up to lead the women of Israel in praise to God. This was after experiencing a mighty deliverance of the people of Israel from Pharaoh. For 430 years, they had been in Egypt, a nation that was not their own. God, who had promised Abraham a nation, had increased the number of his descendants, and they had multiplied greatly in Egypt. This multiplication had threatened the new Pharaoh, and he grew afraid of them, so he put them to hush labour. However, despite the hush oppression they received from their slave masters, scripture tells us that they increased even more. God, remembering his promise to Abraham, decides to come through to deliver them from their oppressors and usher them in to a nation of their own. Having left Egypt, Pharaoh was not happy with their leaving, so he pursued them. Scripture says when Pharaoh pursued them they were stuck by the red sea. They had no place to run, neither did they have the capacity to fight back Pharaoh. Scripture tell us that they were greatly terrified and cried out to the Lord. Mind you they had not yet trained in war and had no weapons to fight back, so the only thing they could do was to cry out to God. God in his might came through for them and opened a way through the red sea. Israel walked through the red sea and managed to escape Pharaoh’s grip by the help of the Lord. 

Miriam having seen this, understood the danger they had been in and what could have possibly happened to them, so she rose up to Glorify God leading all the women in Praise to God. In her praise, Miriam says “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.”

Characteristic of a worshipper – Exemplary

Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.

Miriam was exemplary in worship. The way she worshiped drew the rest of the women to do the same. She exemplified worship as she honored God. Scripture describes her as a Prophetess, yet she did not allow her title to hinder her from worshiping God. Being exemplary is a characteristic that springs forth from a heart that acknowledges one greater than oneself. A true worshipper reveres and honors the Lord and draws others into worship.

Hannah (1 Samuel 2:2 – 10)

Provision

In 1 Samuel Chapter 2, Hannah lifts worship to God in appreciation of His gift of a son. She had been barren and a point of ridicule from Peninah her revile. She had been married in a polygamous marriage and naturally, jealousy and competition  take place. She was loved more than Peninah, yet she could not conceive. Scripture says daily Peninah tormented her due to her bareness. You can imagine the shame and humiliation it brought to her, this was the time when bareness was and issue in their society. Failure to conceive brought one to think they were less than a human being. However, Hannah knew who to call upon, so she went to the Shiloh a place of worship to make a request of God. God granted her request and she conceived a son. She broke forth in praise to God and glorified his name. In her worship she says “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no-one holy like the LORD; there is no-one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

Hannah reminds us to be thankful for all that God has provided in our lives, it could be your job, children, a good marriage etc. Whatever it is, let us not forget to worship God for his provisions, whether big or small.

Characteristic of a worshipper in Hannah – Directs Attention to God

In her worship, Hannah acknowledges this great blessing as the act of God. She realizes that without God, it would never have been possible for her to have a son. A true worshiper directs the attention to God and not themselves. How many of us today have taken God`s glory and made it our own? Our God should be the center of our worship!!

Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Honor

Mary was an ordinary girl in society, yet God chose what was ordinary to honor. She had the honor of carrying the King of Kings in her womb and being known throughout generations as the one who bore the Saviour. She received this great honor, despite the questions that would be raised about her purity. After all, this was the long-awaited Messiah in all Israel. In her worship, she says in Luke 1:46-49:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.

Many times, God has come through to honor us in different ways. Take time to reflect on the honor he has given you and turn to Him in worship. In His goodness, he has elevated us and brought great honor to us; as the Apostle Paul says, “I am what I am by the Grace of God”. It is not that we deserve to be honored, but his favor honors us throughout life, Glory be to his name!!

Characteristic of a worshipper in Mary– Humility

Mary represents a worshiper who approaches God from a point of humility. She does not brag about being special to carry the King of Kings. There were many virgins in Israel, yet God`s favor fell upon Mary. In her realization of this great honor, she humbles herself before the Lord. When Satan fell from heaven, the one thing that entered his heart was “Pride”, contrary to how Mary felt before the Lord. James Chapter 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”. A true worshipper is humble before the Lord.

Linda Sheha faithfully serves as the NLWI Mentorship Coordinator and Zimbabwe National Director.

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