Treasuring and Pondering

by Sheri Reaves

Luke 2:16-19
“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
Promises ignite hope. What do you do with promises and insights received from God? Do you take them seriously in the moment only to forget about them in a day or two? Are you amazed at first but let your rational mind talk you out of their relevance? Do you write them down? Pray about them?

Mary was young and called to walk a path contrary to her religion, her culture and even her common sense. The promise was given to her by Gabriel, an archangel who stands in God's very presence. Unforgettable! Subsequent details and insights came through the shepherds, the wisemen, Joseph’s dreams, the sages Simeon and Anna, and probably countless other ways. Still, for Mary the promise slowly unfolded over the next 33 years. Most days looked like life as usual ~ cooking, cleaning, raising a family. On dark days it looked like the promise was dead. How did she keep the promise of God alive? She treasured. She pondered.

What does treasuring and pondering God's promises look like for us? Writing them down in a journal or a computer file is a good start. Writing things down helps you remember, and it makes your mind more efficient by bringing focus to what is truly important. It also says you have enough respect for the message to make the effort. Another way to treasure and ponder is to pray the promises, offering them back to the Lord. Maybe on the first day of every month you read over your promise file or journal. You refresh your mind and spirit on the details, and then you hold them up to God in prayer. If you think you know just exactly the best way for a promise to be fulfilled, think again. Remember that His ways are higher and perfect.  Yield your strategizing and preferred outcomes to Him.  

Questions:

  • Has God spoken a special promise or assurance to your heart? Something that hasn’t been fulfilled yet? What is it?
  • How will you treasure and ponder the promise going forward?

Action:

Try journaling a promise you feel God has given you. Put a recurring note on your calendar to treasure and ponder it in your own way, on a schedule that feels right for you.