FWD: Morning Manna (Dec. 26); BP: Lk. 2:15-20; RBTTY: Rev. 17; Haggai

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:56:50 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 26); BP: Lk. 2:15-20; RBTTY: Rev. 17; Haggai
 
December 26                                                                                  "Private Ponderings"  

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

                                                                                                                                                    Luke 2:19
      Sometimes the best recourse is quiet, inward reflection, not outward speculation or declaration.
      Musings.
     Some folks by nature do this more than others. They’re much more introspective and tend to spend more time reflecting than they do elaborating. While we need all types of folks—i.e., those who are pensive and those who are emotive—the fact remains that all of us would do better if we were more adept at contemplation than we are at conversation.
 
     How wonderful it would be if there’d been audio and video capabilities during the time of today’s Manna. That way we’d not have to engage in "spiritual speculation" about what was going on with Mary that night when the Christ-child was born and the out-of-breath shepherds arrived at the manger from the hills.
 
      But, we do know the young, virgin girl was savoring every part of the event.
     The Greek word "suntereo" is used here for "kept" and also means "to keep closely together, to conserve, remember and obey, to guard from loss or injury, etc." Thus, it’s a picture of "careful conservation" of all that’d been happening to her the past nine months.
 
     It was a "hiding in her heart," if you will—a type of inward, spiritual journal of her journey. Then, when we read she "pondered them in her heart"—knowing "sumballo" is used for "pondered" and also means "to combine, converse with, consider, confer with, etc."—we realize she was doing more than making some type of mental photo album.
 
     No, Mary’s actions were those of "righteous ruminations," where she, like David, "meditated day and night" upon all that had been said and done (Ps. 1:2). And, it’s clear that she likely continued doing this all during Jesus’ time here on earth (Lk. 2:51). It’d only be after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection that the "pieces of the Christ-puzzle" would begin to fall into place.
 
     That’s why it’s important for us to also engage in "private ponderings" in our own pilgrimage of faith. If all of our tears are kept in God’s bottle (Ps. 56:8). . .if a single sparrow cannot die and fall to the ground without the Father’s notice (Mt. 10:29). . .if all the hairs on our head are numbered (Mt. 10:30). . .and if the Lord Jesus would not allow a single crumb to be lost after the feeding of the 5,000 (Mt. 14:20). . .doesn’t it follow that we, like Mary, should realize that nothing is "unimportant" in our lives when we’re following the Risen Lord? Glory!!
 
     Oh, dear Pilgrim, every day we’re surrounded by numerous "burning bushes" and "entertain angels unaware" (Heb. 13:2). May the Holy Spirit help us to always remember this by "keeping and pondering EVERYTHING" so nothing will be lost.