A Christmas Card from Simeon
A Christmas Card from Simeon
(by Bill Hall)
Luke 2:25-35
We waited and we waited. Moses told us of Him, and we waited. Joshua and the judges spoke of Him, and we waited. Samuel and David gave us hope in Him, and we waited. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elisha, and Jeremiah, and many, many more, proclaimed Him. But we still waited. Year upon year, ages it seemed, passed without His coming. But, yet we were made to wait.
Would it have been better if we hadn’t waited? Was it good for us? Maybe we needed the time. Maybe we were still too stiff necked. Maybe even now we were not quite ready. Oh, how we longed for Him! And yet we often forgot Him. Oh, how we dreamed of the day! And yet our dreams had changed somehow. We thought more of His force than His forgiveness, and His rule than His righteousness.
Was waiting truly a matter of timing, or more a matter of testing? Could it be that waiting was the best thing for us? ‘They that wait upon the Lord,’ yes, that is what the prophet says. Can we ask for more? Is it not best to let His timing prevail? Will man rush God? No. It will happen when He is good and ready.
And then He was good and ready. He brought me to the temple. I had no plans to be there that day, but He did. He showed me the exact couple. I didn't know them from Adam, but He did. When I saw the child I knew He had to be the One. But, I could have seen a hundred children, and found a half dozen Messiahs. He led me to the One Messiah.
How I had longed for that day! I couldn't wait! He told me I would see Him, but I didn't know when. Even on the day I wasn't sure until the couple came in. Oh, Mary was a good young lady. Joseph was strong and kind. They seemed a good fit for the task at hand, yet who could truly be equal to it? I knew only because the Lord let me know. Indeed, what did I do more than those who had come before? I only believed what I was told, just as they. Only in my case I was told more. If anything, my job was easier.
As you worship Him each day in 2018, do not forget you are waiting too. Though He has come and you know Him, one day you will see Him just as He is. And you are waiting and waiting for that time. Well, it's good for you. Mount up with wings as you run forward in the way He has for you. Wait and wait, and be tested. And you and I both will rejoice to see what will be given to us. All praise to Him!
We waited and we waited. Moses told us of Him, and we waited. Joshua and the judges spoke of Him, and we waited. Samuel and David gave us hope in Him, and we waited. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elisha, and Jeremiah, and many, many more, proclaimed Him. But we still waited. Year upon year, ages it seemed, passed without His coming. But, yet we were made to wait.
Would it have been better if we hadn’t waited? Was it good for us? Maybe we needed the time. Maybe we were still too stiff necked. Maybe even now we were not quite ready. Oh, how we longed for Him! And yet we often forgot Him. Oh, how we dreamed of the day! And yet our dreams had changed somehow. We thought more of His force than His forgiveness, and His rule than His righteousness.
Was waiting truly a matter of timing, or more a matter of testing? Could it be that waiting was the best thing for us? ‘They that wait upon the Lord,’ yes, that is what the prophet says. Can we ask for more? Is it not best to let His timing prevail? Will man rush God? No. It will happen when He is good and ready.
And then He was good and ready. He brought me to the temple. I had no plans to be there that day, but He did. He showed me the exact couple. I didn't know them from Adam, but He did. When I saw the child I knew He had to be the One. But, I could have seen a hundred children, and found a half dozen Messiahs. He led me to the One Messiah.
How I had longed for that day! I couldn't wait! He told me I would see Him, but I didn't know when. Even on the day I wasn't sure until the couple came in. Oh, Mary was a good young lady. Joseph was strong and kind. They seemed a good fit for the task at hand, yet who could truly be equal to it? I knew only because the Lord let me know. Indeed, what did I do more than those who had come before? I only believed what I was told, just as they. Only in my case I was told more. If anything, my job was easier.
As you worship Him each day in 2018, do not forget you are waiting too. Though He has come and you know Him, one day you will see Him just as He is. And you are waiting and waiting for that time. Well, it's good for you. Mount up with wings as you run forward in the way He has for you. Wait and wait, and be tested. And you and I both will rejoice to see what will be given to us. All praise to Him!