She Drew "Conclusions in Her Heart" -A Visit Brings Encouragement

 

A sudden commotion disturbed the peaceful scene. Shepherds rushed into the stable, eager to see the family and the child in particular.  These men were bubbling over with excitement, their faces radiating joy.  They had hurried in from the hillsides wehre they were living with their flocks. They told the wondering parents about a marvelous experience they had just had.  On the hillside during the night watch, an angel had suddenly appeared to them.  Jehovah's glory had gleamed all around, and the angel told them that the Christ, or Messian, had just been born in Bethelem.  They would find the child lying ina manger, swaddled in cloth bands.  Then, something even more spectacular happened-a mighty host of angels appeared, praising God! - LUKE 2:8-14.

 No wonder these humble men came rushing into Bethelem.  They must have been thrilled to see a newborn infant lying there just as the angel described .  They did not keep this good news to themselves.  "They made known the saying . . . And al that heard marveled over the things told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:17, 18)  The religious leaders of the day evidenly looked down on shepherds. But Jehovah clearly valued these humble, faithful men.  How though, did this visit affect Mary?

Mary was surely exhausted from the rigors of childbirth, yet she listened intently to every word.  And she did more:  "Mary began to preserve all these sayings, drawing conclusions in her heart. (Luke 2:19)  This young woman truly was thoughtful. She knew that this angelic message was vital . Her God, Jehovah, wanted her to know and appreciate her son's identity and importance.  So she did more than listen.  She stored away the words in her heart so that she could ponder over them again and againin the months and years to come.  Here is an outstanding key to the faith that Mary showed throughout her life. - Read HEBREWS 11:1.

Will you follow Mary's example?  Jehovah has filled the pages of his Word with vital spiritual truths.  However, those truths can do us little good unless we first pay attention to them. We do that by reading the Bible regularly - not merely as a work of literature but as the inspired Word of God.  (2 Timothy 3:16)  Then, like Mary, we need to store up spiritual sayings in our heart, drawing conclusions.  If we meditate  on what we read in the Bible, contemplating ways thaty we can apply Jehovah's counsel more fully, we will give our faith the nourishment it needs to grow.

Next time:  She Drew "Conclusions in Her Heart"
 - More Sayings to Preserve

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