Joyful Anticipation
"Simeon took him up in his arms and blessed God..." - Luke 2:28
Think back to a moment you anticipated for weeks, maybe even years; your wedding, graduation, Christmas morning as a child. That thrill and eagerness to see the day finally arrive likely kept you excited and hopeful.
Imagine then, the joy Simeon felt when he saw God’s promise fulfilled, holding the long-awaited Messiah in his arms. He had waited his entire life, trusting in a promise from God, and when that moment came, his first response was to praise Him.
In that same scene, Anna, a woman who had also been waiting faithfully, had spent decades serving in the temple, praying and fasting, her life centered around her dedication to God. When she encountered Jesus, she couldn’t hold back her gratitude. She praised God and immediately began to tell others about this child who was the hope and redemption for Israel. For both Simeon and Anna, meeting Jesus brought profound joy. A joy that naturally turned into worship and sharing the good news.
If you’re reading this and wondering, “How can I find that kind of joy?” Think about what Simeon, Anna, and even the shepherds had in common. They all trusted in God’s promises, and their trust enabled them to experience joy that wasn’t based on circumstances but on who Jesus is. The shepherds, initially filled with doubt, chose to replace their doubting with trusting. This decision not only led them to experience Jesus firsthand but also transformed them into messengers of joy.
Maybe you’ve found yourself caught up in doubt or waiting for something you desperately want to see happen. Or maybe life’s circumstances have made joy seem distant. Take heart, joy is found not in perfect conditions or the absence of hardship, but in trusting Jesus.
Simeon, Anna, and the shepherds remind us that true joy springs from a heart anchored in trust and devotion. When you allow Jesus to be your source of joy, you’ll find yourself naturally drawn to praise, worship, and share His goodness with others, no matter the circumstances.
Think back to a moment you anticipated for weeks, maybe even years; your wedding, graduation, Christmas morning as a child. That thrill and eagerness to see the day finally arrive likely kept you excited and hopeful.
Imagine then, the joy Simeon felt when he saw God’s promise fulfilled, holding the long-awaited Messiah in his arms. He had waited his entire life, trusting in a promise from God, and when that moment came, his first response was to praise Him.
In that same scene, Anna, a woman who had also been waiting faithfully, had spent decades serving in the temple, praying and fasting, her life centered around her dedication to God. When she encountered Jesus, she couldn’t hold back her gratitude. She praised God and immediately began to tell others about this child who was the hope and redemption for Israel. For both Simeon and Anna, meeting Jesus brought profound joy. A joy that naturally turned into worship and sharing the good news.
If you’re reading this and wondering, “How can I find that kind of joy?” Think about what Simeon, Anna, and even the shepherds had in common. They all trusted in God’s promises, and their trust enabled them to experience joy that wasn’t based on circumstances but on who Jesus is. The shepherds, initially filled with doubt, chose to replace their doubting with trusting. This decision not only led them to experience Jesus firsthand but also transformed them into messengers of joy.
Maybe you’ve found yourself caught up in doubt or waiting for something you desperately want to see happen. Or maybe life’s circumstances have made joy seem distant. Take heart, joy is found not in perfect conditions or the absence of hardship, but in trusting Jesus.
Simeon, Anna, and the shepherds remind us that true joy springs from a heart anchored in trust and devotion. When you allow Jesus to be your source of joy, you’ll find yourself naturally drawn to praise, worship, and share His goodness with others, no matter the circumstances.
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