As I repeatedly read these two chapters, Mary's posture before God stands out at both convicting and encouraging. Two times, the Scripture states that "she treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."
But what was she treasuring up? What was she pondering?
She was "treasuring up" nothing less than circumstances she did not understand. We read that she did not understand the message Angel Gabriel brought her, for she said, "How will this be since I am a virgin?"
How did she respond to this news that she was going to give birth to God's Son?
Luke 1:38 - "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."
How did those around her respond to the news that the Savior was being born?
Luke 2:18-19 - "And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them."
Look...the same pattern continues at the end of chapter 2 when Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple after three days and He says, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" All those around her "wondered/questioned", but she continued to "treasure and ponder".
How did she respond to Jesus' explanation of having been in the temple?
Luke 2:51b - "And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart."
How did those around her respond?
" And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them." They were wondering and questioning.
**Here is how God was convicting me. Although these circumstances in Mary's life were heavenly inspired and directly from God, they were confusing. Mary did not, however, wonder or question or remain in a state of confusion. Rather, she chose to treasure up all that she saw and heard.
What in my life has come directly from God, that I continue not to understand? Let me not wonder, not question, and not ask others for their interpretation of my circumstances.
May I rather:
- ponder in faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit
- treasure up all things quietly
- wait for the reasons to be revealed, as the Lord sees fit
May we be women who follow Paul's command. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
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