20 D E CE MB E R
THROUGH THE EYES OF FAITH Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your goodness and Your patience. Shape me today and grow my faith in Your unshakable, unending faithfulness. Amen
L UKE 2 :2 5- 35 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: 25
‘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.’ 29
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.’ 33
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hat a touching scene—an aged man holding the baby Jesus in his arms and praising God! (LUKE 2:27-32). Simeon had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not PROMISED, YOU die till he had seen the promised Messiah, and he came into the temple at the very moMAY NOW DISMISS ment that Joseph and Mary entered with the YOUR SERVANT IN baby Jesus. I once felt that Simeon was more blessPEACE. FOR MY EYES ed than I am because he had the privilege of HAVE SEEN YOUR actually touching Jesus, but I must believe without seeing or touching Him. Now I realSALVATION. ise that he too had to exercise faith. After all, LUKE 2:29-30 he was holding in his arms an infant born to a couple he had never met before. His assurance came through the witness of the Holy Spirit in his heart, and we must depend on that same witness today. Near the end of our Lord’s time on earth, when He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (JOHN 20:29). We too, through the eyes of faith, can know Christ in a close, personal way. As we celebrate Christmas, let’s pause to look at the Lord through eyes of faith. When we do, we will be able to lift our voice in praise to God. o
SOVEREIGN LORD, AS YOU HAVE
HERBERT VANDER LUGT
Read today’s passage again. What doubts do you wrestle with? Where do you turn to in God’s Word to hear His promises to you again?
Merciful Father, thank You that my doubts are not an obstacle to You. Relieve my fears, strengthen my faith and help me hold unswervingly to my hope in Christ.
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