12-15-15 The Waiting Simeon

12/15- The Waiting Simeon Luke 2:25-35
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^d 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.”

Thoughts: Jesus later said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  Perhaps Simeon’s righteousness, devoutness, and patience put him in a position to see God while he was alive.  In our day, we are not called to panic, to grumble, to give into temptation, but to wait on the Lord.  In our day we want instant things- instant communication (text, phone, emails), instant answers (look it up on Google).  Simeon is an example of godly waiting and patience in God.  Instant trust, instant hope, instant patience does not exist. Simeon also knew how to expand the horizons.  His concern was not just for Jewish independence.  He was concerned for reaching the whole world- the Gentiles included.  This means this older wise man foreknew that the Romans would be conquered not by the sword but by the Good News of God.  The Hope of the world is not found in politics, weapons, or money- but in the eternal hope of God.

Prayer: Lord, may I put my patient hope in you no matter what the world faces.  Help me seek purity and patience over worldliness and hurry.   

ctivity: Who do you know in your family or friends who has a pure heart?  Send them a note by text, email, social media or a card. 

Song: Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou aArt;
Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. 

12/6/12- Tidings of Comfort

Thursday- December 6

Joel 1:4; 2:21-25 - What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten. Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!  ²²Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield.  ²³O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain^* for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. ²⁴The threshing-floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.  ^25III will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you

I am not a huge fan of bugs.  And a text on locusts eating all the food and devastating the land of Israel is surely not a pleasant one to contemplate as we deck the halls and sit by tree.  But the promises here are truly beautiful. A plague has devastated the people – a plague their sins brought upon them. But no matter how bad things get, God’s compassion does not let the locust be the last word! In the midst of hard times, God tells the people and even the animals to not fear. A time of blessing is coming! Pastures will be green. Fruit and fig trees will bloom. Abundant rain will yield such incredible harvests that the years of deprivation will be completely forgotten.  When we face hard times, when our Christmases are tinged with sadness, pain, and grief, God is there with us.  He promises that any years any locusts have eaten will be repaid by ones full of joy. Jesus will come again and “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ (Rev.21:4) The baby born at Christmas will return as the King He is and make all things new.  Suffering will cease and the years the locust ate will vanish in His glory!  “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Prayer: In my hard times, help me to keep hope and trust in you. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Application: Think back to a time when you wondered if you were going to make it.  Think of how God saw you through.  If you know someone in need, pray for them and send them an email or card to encourage them.

O Tidings of Comfort and Joy!  Comfort and Joy!  O Tidings of Comfort and Joy! (From "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen") 

By Rev. Tracie Stewart