Advent: The Journey to ChristmasSample

Store It Up

There’s a moment in the midst of the busyness of the Christmas night when the Bible notes that, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Picture Mary taking a step back and soaking up every detail. Her baby boy had arrived. Joseph was still by her side. A group of shepherds showed up with a story of angels rejoicing over Jesus, and they couldn’t help but tell the whole town. Everyone was celebrating the miracle of her Son. It was a precious moment of God’s faithfulness, and she stored it up in her heart.

We store up things for a reason. There comes a time when we need to turn to the supply we’ve saved to sustain us when we’re in need. Knowing the prophecies about the Messiah’s sacrifice, Mary would have been aware that her precious child would one day experience incredible suffering. When she stood at the foot of the cross as her Son was crucified, Mary must have had to rehearse every memory she had of God’s faithfulness so she could continue believing in the promise of Jesus’ resurrection. In her greatest moment of pain, she had a collection of proof that God would do what He promised.

When we experience “mountain top” seasons of seeing God’s faithfulness, we need to store up the truth of our experience and save it for later. In John 16:33, Jesus makes it clear that, “In this world [we] will have trouble.” But He tells us to take heart, because He has overcome the world. In the hardest moments of our lives, we need to remember the victory of Jesus and recall all the ways we’ve seen His goodness. When you experience God’s faithfulness in your life, take a step back and store it up as treasure in your heart. Think of it often. When your toughest days come, like Mary, you will be able to endure.

Prayer: Father, I praise You because You’re faithful. I have seen it with my own eyes, and I don’t want to forget it. Help me intentionally store up the moments when I see You fulfill Your promises so that when difficulty comes, my faith will remain strong.