The Power of Ponder
Mark 9:23 “All things are possible to those who believe
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Luke 1:26-38 NKJV
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [a]blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Christ Born of Mary
LUKE 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed [wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
PONDER: symballō to throw together, to bring together, to converse, to meet
PONDER: to think about: reflect on to think about : reflect on : to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
THREE THINGS WE SHOULD PONDER
1. Just like Mary, God has a special plan for our lives
Mary did not seek the moment, God initiated it. Her pondering began when she realized heaven was interrupting her ordinary life with divine purpose.
Supporting verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord…”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
Psalm 139:16 – “All the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
Pondering reminds us that our lives are not accidental, God’s plans are intentional, even when unexplained.
2. Like Mary, we must ponder God’s promises when circumstances don’t yet match the prophecy
Mary held together angelic promises and a humble manger. What God said did not look like what she saw, but she chose reflection over doubt.
Supporting verses:
Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…”
Pondering allows faith to grow in the gap between promise and fulfillment.
3. Like Mary, we should ponder God’s work, so belief deepens—not just amazement
Others marveled at what they heard, but Mary pondered. Wonder is momentary; pondering produces lasting belief.
Supporting verses:
Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Mark 9:23 – “All things are possible to those who believe.”
What we ponder shapes what we believe, and belief unlocks the possible.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Mary’s pondering was not passive, it was faith in formation.
When we gather God’s Word, God’s works, and God’s promises together in our hearts, belief is strengthened, and the impossible becomes possible.