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

After the shepherds had heard and seen the baby Jesus, the passage says they went and told everyone about it. All who heard it were amazed at what they said. I think this verse is used to distinguish and allude to varying levels of understanding and the richness we gain by going after the deeper understanding. While the shepherds were excited about what the angels had said and spread the news, not only was Mary amazed at these things but she went a step further and truly appreciated the Lord's work.

It says she treasured everything they said and not only treasured those things but pondered them in her heart. By treasuring these things she is recognizing God's ultimate glory. By pondering these things she is focusing her thoughts on him and following the direction to pray continually. By pondering these things her heart is prepared to receive whatever else the Lord wills to be revealed.

While it is important for us to have moments where we stand in awe at God too often we revel then leave. We recognize God's glory being revealed in our life but forget to truly soak in the richness of the experiences he gives us. We forget to ponder continually and keep our heart's in a condition to continually see and be changed by the Lord. We should be more like Mary and take the things in his word and treasure them. We should ponder his promises and his glory daily. We should not settle for simply being amazed by the stories of God's will or the showings of his power but we must reflect and seek greater understanding of what they reveal to us about Him.

We should ponder what things show us about God so that we can experience the richness of a deeper relationship with him. It is important to give the glory due the Lord but it is important to be like Mary and not only give God glory for what he has revealed but ask for a deeper and richer understanding. We should ponder the Lord's word continually and treasure each new thing he reveals. We should continue to give him glory throughout the process but in order to continue the process we must continue to treasure that which is revealed.

In this verse, Mary steps away from the action and separates herself from the story. She doesn't ponder how she has been involved in this great thing by birthing the savior and she doesn't treasure that she was chosen by the Lord. Instead, she treasures how wonderful the Lord is and ponders the mysteries of him. She humbles herself in this act and draws closer to the Lord by storing up his wisdom and the proof of his glory in her heart. She ponders all that the Lord has presented before her and carries it with her. His awesomeness is not something that should be forgotten after the showing of it. We must not simply glorify the Lord then move on but we must continue to glorify him by keeping close to our heart the verses and actions he has shown us. We should continue to pray about such wonders so that we may humble ourselves and draw closer to him.

In order to experience the richness of understanding and to truly see the Lord at work we must separate the thoughts of ourselves instead refocus it on Him. We must humble our hearts before we are able to treasure and ponder the things which the Lord provides and shows. Don't settle for the surface but ask the Lord to condition your heart so that it is ready to receive what he reveals, treasure, ponder, and further glorify the Lord! Pray that it is a continually cycle where he continues to be given glory.

 

   

Dear Father,
Give us a deeper understanding to you Lord. Help us to humble our hearts so that we might be prepared to hold onto all that we learn. When you reveal knowledge and impart on us your sweet wisdom, help us not to step away from it but instead help us to ponder and treasure all you bestow. While we want to be amazed and to tell of your great things Lord, we also want to have that deeper appreciation and understanding of you. Father God, thank you for all you've done and we trust that you will continue to make us into what you want us to be. Continue to conform us to your image father, Amen.