Luke 2: 22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for healing for those that you know.
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word ... "
When it comes to our lives, through faith we know that we will one day be before Christ at the end of our earthly lives. Will we be ready?
For Simeon, His eyes saw the salvation of God and he was ready to go. He knew that the Christ had come and, without seeing Our Lord in His passion, death and resurrection, had faith in God that He would come through on His promise. He had already come through on His promise to him personally, for he was able to hold the Child destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel.
God is faithful, and Simeon had faith in Him.
There may be something in your life today that you are waiting on. If you're unemployed, you may be waiting for one of those who contacted you to give you a call back. If you're sick, you may be waiting to get well. I do not know what you are waiting for. I do know this: God comes through. If we know the outcome, shouldn't that change our disposition in our own daily lives?
Knowing that God comes through, let us go forth in His peace. Take care and God Bless.
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