Pondering the Deep Things of God

Genesis 37:11

¹¹And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

(ESV)

Thought:
Jacob shares his dream with his family to which they are all appalled at the idea of bowing down to the youngest son of the family. But then this little detail is noted. Jacob kept the saying in mind.

Luke 2:19

¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

(ESV)

The reference here is to all that the shepherds, wise men and archangel Gabriel had said to her about Jesus. Both parents received extraordinary revelations about their children, both silently took these things, stored them up and appeared to simply ponder them, and contemplate them over time. Inevitably both of them would wonder how these things would come to pass as their child grew up. They hoped in time with reflection and contemplation to come to a deeper understanding of those things which had been disclosed to them. You see as Christians we believe in a simple gospel. These truths can be understood by a young child, but just because you understand them, doesn’t mean there aren’t greater degrees of understanding.

One of the hardest parts is that all our blessings are spiritual, they are often invisible because all our blessings are given to us by someone that we cannot see, but we believe in faith is there.

A child may understand that if you throw a ball it will come down again, an adult may be able to use the laws of physics to calculate how quickly the ball will come back down, and a physicist may be able to explain how if that ball was thrown at the speed of light it could travel forward in time according the laws of physics. A child can understand gravity but there are still greater degrees of understanding to be had.

So too it is with the gospel. Often spiritual maturity is not found in knowing things other people do not, but rather in understanding those things which all Christians know on a deeper level than most others do.One person knows God is in control of everything, it is another to live a life free of worry and anxiety because you truly understand that God is in control, not just in fact but in experience. This kind of understanding can only come through deep contemplation upon the basic truths of scripture and allowing the spirit to reveal those even greater depths to you.

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to remember that spiritual depth rarely comes from learning brand‑new truths, but from pondering the ones I already know. Jacob kept Joseph’s dream in mind; Mary treasured the words spoken about Jesus. Today I need to apply this by slowing down, reflecting on the gospel I already believe, and allowing the Spirit to deepen my understanding until truth becomes lived experience rather than mere knowledge.

Prayer:
Father, teach me to treasure Your truth the way Jacob and Mary did. Help me not rush past the gospel but meditate on it until it shapes my heart and my life. Reveal deeper understanding as I contemplate Your Word, and let Your Spirit turn simple truths into profound transformation. Amen.