Holding Onto Joy in the Waiting
"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 Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ." - Luke 2:25-26
When the shepherds met Jesus, their lives were transformed, and they couldn't keep the news to themselves. Meeting Jesus sparked a joy in them that overflowed into praise, worship, and the spreading of His message. Has the same been true for you? Has the joy of knowing Jesus transformed your life? Are you glorifying God and sharing His love with others?
Luke’s account introduces us to two people, Simeon and Anna, who exemplify a life of joy and faithfulness, even in waiting. Simeon was an older man known for his devotion to God and his hopeful anticipation of Israel's “consolation” – the time when the Messiah would come to comfort and deliver His people.
The Holy Spirit had given him a promise that he would see the Messiah before he died. And so, day by day, Simeon waited, holding onto this promise, trusting that God’s timing was perfect.
Imagine waiting your whole life for something as important as meeting the Savior of the world. It would have been easy for Simeon to grow weary or doubt as he got older, but he didn’t. When the time finally came, the Holy Spirit prompted him to go to the temple, and there, he met the infant Jesus. Simeon’s joy overflowed as he held the promised Messiah in his arms, praising God for the fulfillment of a lifelong hope.
Simeon’s story reminds us that joy isn’t about immediate gratification or our circumstances going perfectly. True joy is anchored in God’s promises, even when we have to wait. Joy is rooted in a relationship with Jesus, the ultimate Promise-Keeper, who gives us hope in the waiting and peace in uncertainty. Like Simeon, you can find joy today, even if you're in a season of waiting, because you have a Savior who is faithful to His promises.
Is Jesus the source of your joy, or are you looking to circumstances, people, or accomplishments to fill that role? God has given you His promises, just as He did to Simeon. Embrace the joy that comes from trusting Him completely, knowing that He will fulfill all He has promised in His time. And as that joy fills your heart, let it flow out to others as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, just like Simeon and the shepherds.
When the shepherds met Jesus, their lives were transformed, and they couldn't keep the news to themselves. Meeting Jesus sparked a joy in them that overflowed into praise, worship, and the spreading of His message. Has the same been true for you? Has the joy of knowing Jesus transformed your life? Are you glorifying God and sharing His love with others?
Luke’s account introduces us to two people, Simeon and Anna, who exemplify a life of joy and faithfulness, even in waiting. Simeon was an older man known for his devotion to God and his hopeful anticipation of Israel's “consolation” – the time when the Messiah would come to comfort and deliver His people.
The Holy Spirit had given him a promise that he would see the Messiah before he died. And so, day by day, Simeon waited, holding onto this promise, trusting that God’s timing was perfect.
Imagine waiting your whole life for something as important as meeting the Savior of the world. It would have been easy for Simeon to grow weary or doubt as he got older, but he didn’t. When the time finally came, the Holy Spirit prompted him to go to the temple, and there, he met the infant Jesus. Simeon’s joy overflowed as he held the promised Messiah in his arms, praising God for the fulfillment of a lifelong hope.
Simeon’s story reminds us that joy isn’t about immediate gratification or our circumstances going perfectly. True joy is anchored in God’s promises, even when we have to wait. Joy is rooted in a relationship with Jesus, the ultimate Promise-Keeper, who gives us hope in the waiting and peace in uncertainty. Like Simeon, you can find joy today, even if you're in a season of waiting, because you have a Savior who is faithful to His promises.
Is Jesus the source of your joy, or are you looking to circumstances, people, or accomplishments to fill that role? God has given you His promises, just as He did to Simeon. Embrace the joy that comes from trusting Him completely, knowing that He will fulfill all He has promised in His time. And as that joy fills your heart, let it flow out to others as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, just like Simeon and the shepherds.
Subscribe
If you were blessed by or directly benefited from this content, please subscribe to receive receive daily devotions to your inbox.
No Comments