12/20/14- God and the Faithful

Dec. 20, 2014

Scripture: And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).

Thoughts: Anna, a prophetess, had been waiting for “the consolation of Israel” like Simeon for a long time.  Neither Simeon nor Anna was particularly important as far as the world was concerned.  Neither is depicted as having led a particularly exciting, successful, or eventful life.  Nor are they said to have achieved great accomplishments or accomplished anything at all.  In fact, today many would probably describe the life of Simeon and Anna as boring and insignificant, especially Anna’s life, which, having been widowed after only seven years of marriage, revolved around the temple and consisted of “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”  Yet she too, like Simeon, lived a life of gratitude (“she gave thanks to God”) and was privileged not only to see the world’s redemption in Jesus Christ before her death, but also to bear witness to it as she “spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”  God honored the humble, patient, faithful service of Simeon and Anna’s lives and he honors the humble, patient, faithful service of all who call upon and bear witness to him today.  For thus says the Lord: “those who wait for me shall not be put to shame” (Isaiah 49:23).

Prayer: Faithful and Ever-loving Father, sustain me in the humble, patient, faithful service I seek to render today and help me to serve you and others with joyful gratitude.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen.

Application: Forget performing a random act of kindness (especially if it is a matter of mere tokenism or motivated primarily to make you feel better about yourself) and receive God’s redemption in Jesus Christ and do your assigned tasks faithfully this day, however difficult, with humility, patience, and joy, out of gratitude to God.

12-27-13 Simeon

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2)

Thoughts: Simeon means "he who hears and obeys."  Simeon kept the words of the prophecies of the Messiah's coming near him.  He knew the signs of the times, that the secular world was rising under Rome and the religious world was fading under the rules of the Pharisees.  But Simeon made himself open to hearing God by being just and righteous.
       He was one of the first to recognize "the Lord whom you seek shall suddenly come to His Temple" (Malachi 3:1).  He saw in Jesus the salvation not just for Israel but for the Gentiles as well.  Simeon also blessed Joseph and Mary when he was done prophesying that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.  

Prayer: May I, Lord, like Simeon- recognize you and welcome you.