"7" Minutes Alone with God

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart  (Luke 2:19) “Do you have a ponder box?” she asked the ladies in the breakout session of a retreat.  To their puzzled expressions, she reminded them of Luke 2:19, which tells us that Mary had a ponder box which she must have used from time to time. During His lifetime on Earth, Mary would see her Son misunderstood, misquoted, denied and rejected by those who expected the Messiah to come in power, throw off the Roman rule, and set up an earthly kingdom.  When Jesus did not meet their expectations, He was branded a blasphemer by the religious hierarchy, who eventually caused His death on the cross. Mary, being Jewish, had undoubtedly been brought up with the same beliefs about the Messiah. Over the next few years, there would be times when, as Jesus’ unfolding ministry failed to fit the pattern, questions must have come to her mind regarding the angel’s proclamation. “How could it ever become a reality?...

You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me;  all Your billows and Your waves passed over me   (Jonah 2:3) Have you ever felt like you were in the middle of the ocean, far from the safety of shore, without a single bit of land in sight?  As if giant waves of fear and uncertainty were crashing over you, pushing you down?  All your efforts were in vain, and your strength was waning fast? If so, you can probably relate to this words of Jonah and the psalm writer. Then, you may find comfort and encouragement in the following declarations from God's Word: O Lord my God. For I said in my haste, ‘I am cut off from before Your eyes”;  nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. oh love the Lord, all you His saints!  For the Lord preserves the faithful… ...be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart,  all you who hope in the Lord   (Psalm 32:22-24) ...