Judges 13:2-3 A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.”

I am intrigued by the way this account of this couple is presented. The man’s place of origin, name, and position are identified in a positive way. His wife however is nameless and barren. What is even more interesting is that the angel of the Lord confirms her situation. This could lead to dismay and an inferiority complex, couldn’t it?

Let us dig a little deeper. You may consider yourself nameless or insignificant but God knows where to find you. He also knows all about you – even the deep things that make you feel “less than” those around you. The difference is he does not see those things as a source of condemnation but rather as things he can use to create change in you and your circumstances.

Your purpose in this world is not to impress others, it is simply to listen to the voice of God and do what he tells you to do. This woman did and became the mother of Samson who was used mightily by God to defend his people. So, wives and mothers do not discount your place in the kingdom of God because it is you who nurture the Manoahs and Samsons of this world. And to the men I say with Peter: “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate of your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing hinders your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7). There is no limit to what God can do with a couple that is submissive to his will.