Simeon, A Certain Hope

I recently wrote this devotional for our Women's Ministry at church. It was in regards to Christmas but I really feel it speaks to any season of life. So much of our life is spent waiting - waiting to enter something, waiting to exit something, waiting in the midst of pain, waiting in the midst of joy. Simeon is a wonderful example of joyfully waiting his whole life for one thing - a fulfilled promise from the Lord.

Do you wait in expectation that Christ will meet your needs?  Not our desires or wants (always) but our needs according to His glory?  Simeon waited his whole life to see Jesus. God promised it to him. Rest in this truth:  God keeps His promises.

Simeon, A Certain Hope

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon Him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26

The only things we know about Simeon were written in a few verses in Luke. We are certain he was a faithful man who loved God and walked with Him all the days of his life.   We also know that the Holy Spirit was upon his life and promised Simeon he would not die until he saw the Messiah. 

What strikes me as fascinating about this precious man’s life is that he waited. Not only did he wait, but he waited with great anticipation for “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:31-32) Simeon grasped the magnificent gift that was coming not only for the Jewish people but for the Gentiles as well.  He understood that salvation was for all peoples.  God will use and honor people who wait with great hope for Him. His whole life was devoted to one thing: seeing Christ and knowing that a Redeemer had come to rescue this world.

After Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as the firstborn male, the Spirit led Simeon into the temple and he held baby Jesus and blessed Him.  Simeon went on to worship the Lord and joyfully exclaimed that he could depart this world with great peace because his eyes had seen the salvation that had come (Luke 2: 29-30).  As Paul exclaimed in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain” is probably an accurate description of Simeon’s heart.  

Simeon’s countenance and radiant joy was so obvious that in verse 33 it says “and his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” Mary and Joseph were in awe of the things spoken about their son. 

Are you waiting expectantly for Jesus?  He is returning again one day and that is the good news of our great hope!  Our Savior lives and will return for His people.  This Christmas, reflect on the joy of your salvation!  May one aged Jewish man give us a glimpse of what patiently hoping in all the promises of God looks like.  Simeon looked upon the face of baby Jesus and he worshipped because He knew God’s promise had come to pass. 

With great JOY,
Leeanne