Thank You for this Old Man
“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking 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.
“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
“And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said ab out Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul -- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 2:25–33
Simeon was just an old and faithful man who believed God. Luke called him righteous and devout…a man who waited patiently to see the Messiah with his own eyes before he died. Our Heavenly Father never forgot him.
As Simeon held the Christ child, he shared the world-altering prophecy that God had entrusted to him that would affect three ‘levels’ to:
1. Jesus’ unknowing and trusting parents to prepare them for the travail to come
2. Israel – to mark a profound division (not just north and south Israel) between those of God’s chosen people who would believe in Jesus as the Messiah and those who would not
3. The entire world, where Simeon’s prophecy marked an eternal, everlasting split between those who would choose to believe -- or not believe -- that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and the ultimate solution for sin and that this solution would forever more also be extended to the Gentiles.
____________________________________________
Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.
PS: You can also find the devotions on line/ on your mobile phone here: www.weakdaydevotion.com .
NOTES: I choose to believe the Bible because it's a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They reported supernatural events that took place before, of specific prophecies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
The Five Solas: Individuals are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone to the glory of God alone!
Find my full statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). For the books, go to Amazon books. For prayer requests/ updates, email: darlenerichard@gmail.com