Have you ever waited for a long time for something you hoped would happen? Did it finally happen? How did you respond? Are there things you are currently hoping will happen? What is your hope based on? Is it based on the reliability of someone doing something they have promised? Let me share with you what I’ve learned.
Simeon hoped for the birth of the Messiah. His hope was based on God’s promise to send a Messiah. We do not know for sure how old Simeon was, but he said he was “ready to depart in peace” which might an indication that he was old and had waited a lifetime for the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Messiah. Simeon responded magnificently as he took Jesus up in his arms and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 (ESV) Simeon’s hope had been fulfilled. God’s promise had been realized and Simeon witnessed it. Simeon brings me hope because he endured a lifetime to see God’s promise fulfilled. I know now how I too can wait, even if it’s a lifetime, for God’s promises to me.
I believe Simeon was just a man like me. He had no special abilities, but his “superpower” was his belief in God, and this helped him wait on God. That was his hope, and it is also my hope. If you do not have this kind of hope, then you can get it. It is easy all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
I pray you that you like Simeon will place your hope in the only source of true hope. That you will trust the promises of God and realize the same hope that Simeon lived with. It is through a relationship with God through Jesus that solves the problem of sin and brings us hope in the present and the future. I would also encourage you to seek Jesus for He is the only opportunity there is to have eternal life. This is to me the greatest source of hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy in our everyday lives. Understanding how Jesus Christ grants us access to eternal life, allows us to live in hope. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ will also bring you the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here.
You can watch book trailer about my book.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
