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.

Genuine Meditation

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced transcendental meditation to the West in the late 1950s. From the beginning the practice was controversial, even though The Beatles were famous followers. TM involved a technique of focusing on a "mantra" - a sound, a word, or phrase that was repeated over and over and over, either aloud as a chant or silently. TM's aim was to reach a state of consciousness that was beyond wakefulness, sleep, or dreaming, in which relaxed awareness was achieved. The most controversial component was the claim that some meditating individuals could attain a state of pure consciousness, and in that state, they supposedly could influence the emotions or mental states of people around them. Other controversial claims were improved IQs and reduced violent tendencies. None of these were scientifically evaluated or endorsed, and experts argued if TM should be classified as a cult or religious sect.

In the 70's I remember reading about TM as a teenager, and for many years the word "meditation" immediately brought to mind repetitive, annoying tones, and people in white linen smocks with dazed expressions.

That image is not exactly what the psalmist David had in mind in Psalm 19.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

In Psalm 19 the heavens themselves shout out God's majesty, proclaiming His intricate workmanship. There is no actual dialect, but their "voices" are most definitely heard! God reveals Himself explicitly through His creation! This natural revelation reaches every place and every person on our earth.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

Each time I admire the brilliant colors of God's autumn leaves, the perfect petals of the roses in our garden, His turbulent crashing waves at the Outer Banks, or His breathtaking falls at Niagara, and I pause to consider them in all their perfect beauty, I am meditating visually and in my heart on God's natural revelation in His creation. Each spectacular scene openly testifies to the genius of our Master Architect, who, as Creator, literally spoke everything into existence, not by chance, but purposefully!

Deep meditation moves us from these visual observations of God's creation to God's Biblical truths and commands, which we find in His holy word. Nothing I see or hear on this earth should go unchecked against God's perfect precepts. Spurgeon says, "We have a Bible which is large enough to be a perfect library, and which is also so compact that we can carry it about with us wherever we go."

Nothing on this earth is as worthy of our heart's deep attention and meditation as God's commands. Nothing on this earth is as worthy of our mind's focus as the Lord's ordinances. They are precious and worthy of our quiet contemplation.

Such meditation involves reflection, concentration, and contemplation. Biblical mediation involves deep spiritual introspection of our great Creator, our Redeemer, our LORD. God often reveals Himself first through His awesome creation and then draws us even closer through His living word. He teaches us and encourages us through both. He attracts our attention to Himself through His natural revelation, and then He propels us to a more intimate relationship with Himself when we ponder His written word in our hearts and minds.

David realized that God's word was even more desirable than gold because gold never fully satisfies in any quantity, and it perishes. God's Scripture is more precious because it satiates our core being, and it endures forever.

David's response should be ours. He is humbled when he observes the grandeur and splendor of God's precious handiwork because it manifests God's glory and supremacy. David is enlightened by God's word, and he is so humbled he prays for his life to be cleansed. David welcomes creation's drawing of himself to God; he treasures God's word, and he wants his resulting praises to be pleasing to God.

Just so, my meditations when beholding God's creation and when I seriously contemplate and reflect upon His word should result in an overflowing of sheer delight and gratitude to God. Such meditation should be a time of deep celebration, worshiping, exalting, and praising my Lord's sovereignty, His wisdom, goodness, love, mercy, and His power. Genuine meditation does not magically connect us with the mental states of other humans, but instead connects us with the God of the Universe!

Dear Heavenly Father,

May I be attentive to the resounding voice of your heavens and earthly handiwork, may I cherish the perfect wisdom and saving restoration You impart in your holy, inerrant Word. May I consistently and earnestly meditate in my heart all that is You! May I endeavor to please you and be approved by You! May I rejoice loudly! Amen!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes it circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19