Been to Bethlehem

We've been to Bethlehem. We've experienced the birth of the Christ Child. We've marveled at the miracle of God Incarnate. We've glorified and praised God.

 

But, have we done as Mary—"kept all these things and pondered them"? How does that work itself out in day to day life?

 

The Greek word translated "kept" is syntēreō. It means to preserve something so it does not perish or is lost. It is actually a word that indicates one "works" or is diligent to do so. And add to that "pondered," the Greek word symballō. This interesting word means to throw or bring together, to converse. But, it is a word that has a sense of conflict or dispute attached to it.

 

These words made me think that Mary, as she carefully and continually thought on the particular and peculiar elements of Christ's birth, that conflict often arose within her heart and mind. Was it real? Yes, it was real! Are the promises of God really going to come to be? Yes, He always keeps His word! This child, my child, is truly my Savior? Yes, in fact, that is the meaning of His name, Jesus—God saves!

 

It would seem that she worked this out, the keeping and pondering, the conflict in her heart and mind, as she watched her child grow and become strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God. It would seem that she always, always brought all her pondering conflict back to faith.

 

Remember Mary's words prior to the birth of her baby?

 

And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Luke 1:46-55 (NKJ)

 

She knew her God. She knew His character. She not only knew, she believed. The future was already an "is" to her understanding.

 

That is the key, praying moms, as you watch your children grow. That is how it worked out in daily life for Mary and how it will for us. Belief. Faith.

 

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for,

being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality

[faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Hebrews 11:1 (AMP)

 

Praying moms, as Mary worked out her faith in her life that what she had heard from the Lord was reality, we are to work out our faith that what we have "heard" through the pages of His Word is also reality.

 

As we pray the words of the Scripture over our children, standing on the promises of God, we can hold fast to the truth that the Lord God Almighty hears our prayers and will act on behalf of those prayers. Waiting may be involved, even hard times, but we can know with surety that our prayers are not unheard.

Now this is the confidence we have before Him:

Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And if we know that He hears whatever we ask,

we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

1 John 5:14-15 (HCSB)