When Times Get Tough...Remember. - Girlfriends in God - November 2, 2015
November 2, 2015
When Times Get Tough...Remember.
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart(Luke 2:19 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever thought about what Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have experienced at the foot of the cross? We don’t have a lot of information about what was going on in her heart, only that she was there — standing below her precious flesh-torn, blood drenched, and physically battered Son.
We do know she heard the hammer hit the nails, saw the Roman spear pierce His side; felt the labor of His breathing. As His heart burst, her chest ached. For six hours she watched him die.
Pierced. How perfectly that word described her at this moment. The sword that had hung over her head for 33 years now pierced her heart.
It must have seemed like an eternity since a symphony of angels announced his birth. On that day a cacophony of accusers hurled insults and accusations.
“Crucify him!” the savage rabble demanded.
“He could save others but he can’t save himself,” the burly soldiers taunted.
Where are those angels now, she must have thought. If she could have peered into the spiritual realm, she would have found them hovering low, silent in full armor array.
It is difficult to envision God’s presence surrounding the tragedies in our lives. Somehow the two don’t seem to be able to co-exist in our minds. It is almost incomprehensible to picture angles standing by while mere humans taunted and tortured the Son of God.
What do we do when life doesn’t make sense? We remember. Mary remembered.
Mary remembered Gabriel’s announcement.
Mary remembered Elizabeth’s welcome.
Mary remembered Joseph’s dreams.
Mary remembered the shepherd’s arrival.
Mary remembered the Magi’s gifts.
Mary remembered Simeon’s prophesy.
Mary remembered Anna’s words.
Mary remembered the 12-year-old boy in His Father’s house.
Mary remembered the water transformed to wine.
Mary remembered the miracles.
Mary remembered the teaching.
Mary remembered the healings.
Mary remembered.
After the shepherds’ visit in the stables that first Christmas evening, Luke tells us, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). No doubt her thoughts returned to that treasure chest of memories for the reassurance she so needed. The events of Jesus’ life slipped through her mind like beads on a string with the knot of faith tied securely in the end.
And friend that is what we must do.
The Bible tells us that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). When we treasure God’s Word in our hearts, just as Mary did in hers, it calms the waves of doubt during the storms of life. The storm may not be removed, but God’s Word will help us to hold steady as the difficulties of life toss us to and fro.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, as life tosses me to-and-fro, help me to remember. Help me to remember Your promises. Help me remember the ways You have blessed me in the past. You are my Rock, my Redeemer, and my Restorer. And though I may not always understand, I know that Your ways serve a greater purpose in my life than I may ever know.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
I doubt Mary kept a journal, but if she had, wouldn’t you love to see it? Today, I want you to make a list of the ways God has blessed you through the years. Keep it in a place that you can refer to often. As you remember certain blessings, go back to your list and jot them down.
If you do not keep a journal of prayer requests and God’s answers, you might want to consider starting one. A prayer journal is a great source of encouragement during the difficult times of life. We have very short memories when it comes to remembering God’s goodness to us. Writing them down will help us treasure them in our hearts.
Today’s devotion was taken from Sharon’s book, How Jesus Broke the Rules to Set You Free. Learn how Jesus crossed the gender boundaries of His day to honor women...to honor you. Learn how to walk in power and purpose as you examine how Jesus called women out of the shadows of society to play leading roles in the Gospel Story...and how He is calling you. Click on the book cover and watch the book trailer to learn more.
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