Uhambo Oluya EmkhonjeniIsampula

Walk by Faith

Scripture reminds us that many righteous men and women didn’t see the fruition of their hope until their faith had been severely tested. In some cases, they never saw concrete answers to some of their prayers within their lifetimes. Yet this didn’t stop them from believing God day after day.

There was no writing prophet in Israel for four centuries, yet men and women like Simeon and Anna—godly people waiting expectantly for the true Messiah—still held to their belief that the Lord would do exactly what He said He’d do. They hadn’t given up hope, even in their old age. No wonder they recognized the long-awaited one immediately when they saw Him in His mother’s arms—even though no one else did.

It didn’t matter that this young family was clearly poor, bringing to the temple the least-expensive sacrifice. Simeon and Anna recognized royalty right away because they were in constant communion with God, walking by faith rather than sight.

Activity: Donate a new toy to a trusted charity that distributes Christmas gifts to children in need.