Daily devotion – Simeon and Anna.
Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
I want to introduce you to two wonderful godly saints long in years, and deep in love with the Lord. Simeon and Anna, who saw the Messiah just 8 days after He arrived in Bethlehem. These two wonderful saints had been yearning , praying and longing for the Messiah to come to Israel, for most of their life.
God had spoken to Simeon and told him that he would not pass from this world to the next until he would lay his eyes on the Messiah.
Anna, had faithfully served the Lord and had prayed without fail for the Christ to come to Israel every day of her life.
Maybe this Christmas you have some ‘big prayers’, maybe a promise from God, or you have just been faithfully praying for the Lord’s blessing to fall.
In amongst the greatest arrival of the planet, the birth of the Son of God who had come to save us from our sins. Wedged in between this the greatest story of the Messiah arriving, God places these two elderly saints and the answer to their long-time prayers.
Often we give up when praying because we do not see the answer to our many years of praying and seeking God. The story of these two saints is God’s reminder to us that in the midst of world changing events in Gods master plan, your prayers are being heard and will be answered.
We can learn from Simeon and Anna, how the God of the universe, takes note of the detailed cries of our hearts and listens to every word we bring to Him.
The Book of Hebrews reminds us that God rewards those who come to Him in faith believing! This Christmas be reminded of these two saints and God bringing His blessing upon them both.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
As Simeon and Anna were going about their normal routine of serving, praying and seeking God in His temple, as they had done for years, God on this special day, ordained that both their prayers be fulfilled.
Also let us note as well, that in amongst our prayers being answered the focal point of God’s blessing in answering them is always His Son Jesus.
Jesus is the answer to our prayers no matter what the situation.
Take time to read this passage of Scripture and at the same time bring your prayers to the Lord – He will answer!
Don’t give up – believe God will answer – have faith in Him!