A Cup of Encouragement

Exodus 17:18  But the midwives had far too much respect for God and didn't do what the king of Egypt ordered; they let the boy babies live. The king of Egypt called in the midwives. "Why didn't you obey my orders? You've let those babies live!"…^20-21 God was pleased with the midwives. The people continued to increase in number—a very strong people. And because the midwives honored God, God gave them families of their own. (The Message)

PUSH! For those who have been present through the labor and delivery process, whether pushing, coaching, or watching, that is a familiar phrase.
Before the wonderful world of updated medicine that word usually came from the midwife. Many women today still choose the voice of the midwife to coach them along the process.

Midwives have great responsibilities. They attend the labor and birth. They handle some postpartum care. They keep a watchful eye on the birthing process. Because of their unique positioning they are aware of most dangers and obstacles that can cause problems. They seek the well being of mother and baby during birthing. Most of all they encourage and direct the mother during labor and delivery. They are needed!
We also need spiritual midwives in the body of Christ today, those who are willing to say, like the midwives of old, “No, I won’t kill that which God has conceived in others. I will not kill destiny and purpose in my sister or brother.”

The midwife’s role is to speak life and to encourage others during the birthing moment.
In Genesis 35:16-18 we see another good example of the role of a midwife:  “…When Rachel went into labor—hard, hard labor. When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid—you have another boy."  18 With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune)” (The Message)
Now remember, because of her positioning the midwife probably understood the seriousness of Rachel’s situation yet she chose to encourage her by focusing on the good that would come out of the pain. She spoke life!

We also must be willing to encourage one another in the midst of the pain of spiritual birthing. No matter how bad it may look, we are to speak life. Sometimes we are put into the midwife position in other’s lives, not looking down on them but staring right into the messiest part of the process. We must still speak life! We are not called to mislead with flattery or false hope, causing them to push before being fully dilated so to speak, for that would harm the child, but we must be aware of, through the Spirit of God, the timing of when to say “PUSH”.

Men, you are not excluded from the midwife position.  In II Kings 19 we read about King Hezekiah who sent a message to the prophet Isaiah in distress:
"A message from Hezekiah: “This is a black day, a terrible day—doomsday!  Babies poised to be born, No strength to birth them.” (The Message)
We also see Isaiah’s response:
And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” (NKJV)
You see, the King was fearful, discouraged, doubtful, and worried. Isaiah, in the role of a midwife spoke life! He encouraged King Hezekiah to not fear but PUSH! Push through the fear, discouragement, doubt and worry. As we read later Hezekiah was encouraged enough to pray and praise God in the midst of his fear. One word of encouragement, from the Lord, can change a person’s outlook on a situation.

We all need a trusted midwife in our life. We should make it a goal to be a trusted midwife in someone's life.  We must learn to speak life to others no matter how bad the situation may seem. If there have ever been times we may have spoken “death” with our mouths or our attitudes we can purpose in hearts to do better.
The time has come to stand up and say “No, I will not harm my brother’s or sister’s baby. I will speak life their situation. I will encourage them through the rough spots.”  I promise you, just like the midwives during the time of Moses, who put their own lives on the line; God will bless you and favor you for your willingness to encourage others.

Will the real midwives please rise and say in one loud collective voice "PUSH!"