WHAT SIMEON AND ANNA
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19 D E CE MB E R
ON TIME Heavenly Father, it can be hard to set my mind on heavenly things when there is so much on earth demanding my attention. I trust those things to Your perfect timing now so I can refix my eyes upon You. Amen
L UKE 2 : 2 5–3 8 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ 33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eightyfour. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 25
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ometimes I joke that I'm going to write a book titled On Time. Those who know me smile because they know I am often late. I rationalise that my lateness is due to optimism, COME, GOD SENT not to lack of trying. I optimistically cling to the faulty belief that “this time” I will be able to get HIS SON. more done in less time than ever before. But I GALATIANS 4:4 can't, and I don't, so I end up having to apologise yet again for my failure to show up on time. In contrast, God is always on time. We may think He's late, but He's not. Throughout Scripture we read about people becoming impatient with God’s timing. The Israelites waited and waited for the promised Messiah. Some gave up hope. But Simeon and Anna did not. They were in the temple daily praying and waiting (LUKE 2:25–26, 37). And their faith was rewarded. They got to see the infant Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him to be dedicated (VV. 27–32, 38). When we become discouraged because God doesn't respond according to our timetable, Christmas reminds us that “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son . . . that we might receive adoption to sonship” (GALATIANS 4:4–5). God’s timing is always perfect, and it is worth the wait. o
WHEN THE SET TIME HAD FULLY
JULIE ACKERMAN LINK
Read today’s passage again. Think about what life looked like for Simeon and Anna as they waited for God’s salvation to be revealed. How does their approach to waiting help shape your attitude to waiting on God?
Heavenly Father, I confess that I become impatient and discouraged, wanting answers to prayer in my own time and on my schedule. Help me to wait patiently for Your timing in all things.
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