Ponder

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Mary and her betrothed, Joseph, had traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea to register as they were required to do for the census. While they were there, this young girl gave birth to our precious Christ, our Lord and Savior, in a lowly manger.

I wonder how she felt and what she thought when the shepherds showed up. I wonder if she was surprised at their visit.

Luke tells us that Mary conferred within herself; she weighed out everything that she knew. She diligently considered and discerned truth. She purposefully resolved in her mind to believe all that was imparted to her, and she considered everything accurately. She "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

I love that verse - Luke 2:19! I am reminded just how blessed we are to have God's complete, holy word at our disposal. We have been gifted with this treasure, which includes one story, one truth, and one prophesy after another.

Lately I have questioned, "Do I treasure up all of these truths? Do I ponder them in my heart? Do I take having all of God's word at my disposal for granted?"

Strong's defines the word ponder as: to level by rolling a cylinder up and down; to weigh, which is done by holding the balance level; to weigh out or to consider accurately; to diligently consider; to discern, understand, perceive or know the mind of; to observe; give heed to; to have insight; to show oneself discerning or attentive; to perceive with the eyes - to see; with the ears - to hear; with the touch - to feel; to turn the mind to anything - to attend with purpose; to regard and understand; wise understanding; to be intelligent and prudent; to teach or instruct; to meditate, devise, muse, imagine, to study; to celebrate; to speak with oneself, murmuring and in a low voice, as is often done by those who are musing or meditating on anything; to contemplate; to converse with one's self; bring together in one's mind.

These concepts are also found in these verses:

Proverbs 4:26: Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Proverbs 5:6: She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Psalm 119:27: Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

Proverbs 15:28: The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Joshua 1:8: Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 143:5: I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 1:1-2:

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on His law day and night.

Pondering is more than just casual thinking. Pondering involves considering something deeply and thoroughly. It entails weighing a matter mentally; i.e., chewing thoughts and truths over in the mind with careful consideration and diligence.

As we ponder God's truths, we need to appraise or estimate the worth of all He has done for us. Pondering God moves us into full-blown praise of Him and brings us to grateful thanksgiving and celebration of who He is, who He was, and who He will always be!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the beautiful story and message you have given us in Luke 2:20. May we emulate the psalmists and Mary by treasuring up all of your truths and pondering them in our hearts. May this be a conscious effort that we make on a daily basis. You and only you are worthy of such attention, time, and praise. May we keep from other distractions and head noise, so we may consider you fully and as completely as our finite minds will allow. Amen.