But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. – Luke 2:19
The death of Queen Elizabeth caused a lot of speculation about the coming reign of King Charles III. Would he make significant changes to the monarchy? How would the citizens respond to him? King Charles will not only be grieving the loss of his mother over these next months, but he will be contemplating all the duties and obligations of his new status… a hefty burden to heart and mind.
When you think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, it is hard to comprehend how often her mind focused on thoughts of the child she was raising, the Messiah, and what would be involved. What a woman blessed by God… favored by the Lord because of her spirituality and commitment to Him. The shepherds’ visit to see the Christ child as He lay in the manger is recorded as a time when Mary pondered these things in her heart. Rest assured, there were many more times of contemplation, reflection, and quiet, sober meditation concerning the Messiah that she bore.
You may not consider your life as significant as that of Mary, but God has a purpose for you as well. There are surely issues for which you need direction and guidance just as she did. The Lord brings challenges to each person, opportunities for reflection, and perplexities that cause you to stop and seek God’s leading and strength. Do not rush past these times. Ponder them in light of God’s Word.
As King Charles needs the prayers of his people, so do governing officials in the United States need yours. May they ponder the weight of their decisions and carry them out under the guidance of the Almighty God.
Today’s Verse: Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Job 28:12-14, 20, 23-28
“But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
“From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding? “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
