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Simeon Faithfully Awaits
Simeon was a just, devout, man of God, who believed in and waited for the faithfulness of God. This characteristic of waiting on God is seen in all of its beauty and strength in the song that Simeon sings as he holds Immanuel—God with us—in his arms. In fact, the name Simeon means “God has heard.” So, seeing Jesus and holding Him fulfills Simeon’s namesake—God has heard.
Simeon was one of the faithful remnants who patiently waited for God to keep His promise of sending the Messiah—the Comforter of Israel. Simeon’s faith and patience came from his knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures and, specifically, the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah first speaks of the Comforter who will end the warfare and pardon the sins of the nation. Then, as a foreshadowing of the message of John the Baptist, the prophet cries out for the nation to prepare the way of the Lord, to make His paths straight, and to make a highway for God. In other words, the King is coming so get ready! Isaiah then states that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. Jesus fulfills this revelation in His life and in His transfiguration, where His true divinity was shown.
Finally, Isaiah describes the Messiah as God who will rule and who will bring His reward with Him. This is a foreshadowing of Christ when He returns to rule over His creation and who states, “I will bring My reward with Me”, as the apostle John tells us in the Book of Revelation.
What does all of this mean to Simeon? The Prophet tells him that, “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” Here was this faithful man in the midst of a nation that had turned its back on God and was under great oppression, who looked for God to keep His promise of bringing the Messiah to be the Comfort for Israel, and to sustain him until Simeon could see Him and hold Him.
In preparing for Jesus, Simeon not only believed, but he also waited faithfully for God to keep His promise of the Messiah. This Christmas will you be faithful to wait upon God who delivered on His promise of the Messiah?
About this Plan
How will you prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior this year? Many people have traditions such as listening to Christmas music, sending cards, decorating a tree, or reading the Christmas story. During this Advent devotion, we'll be looking at 5 different responses from people who were present for the coming of Jesus and we'll look at how they prepared for His arrival. We'll now look at Simeon’s response.
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