The biggest lesson in the story of Baby Jesus and Simeon (Luke 2) is that we do not despise our times of waiting on God. Even when it appears like nothing is happening, know that God is preparing us to know what to do and how to handle the promise when it is delivered. Yes, God made the promise for reasons best known to Him but we also have a part to play in it. We have to be ready to make the most of what has been promised. And to do that, we have to be prepared and preparation takes time. Sometimes too much time than we would allot it but God knows the best times: our times are in His hands.

Do not waste your time of waiting for the promise. Stay sensitive and obedient to the God who promised. He knows how you need to be prepared. He has lined up things relevant for our preparation but it takes obedience to identify and walk in them, faithfully to the time of our readiness. And God knows when we are ready. We often think we are ready because we think we have done all we know or need to do but only He who has promised knows the best time for delivery. We must also trust God and His timing. We must accept that His timing is perfect. Our knowledge is limited. All we know is us and what we are facing but God works everything else in the world together for good, and ours is often not isolated. Like the birth of Christ and the salvation He brings was not only a Simeon or Israel thing, out promise may also be tied to God’s other works of creation with humanity. If we must experience His promise, obedience and patience are critical factors.

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4. (NKJV)

When Simeon saw the Child Jesus, he not only recognized Him for who He truly was, he was thankful to the promise Keeper. God had done just as He said He would do for Simeon and he knew that his work was done. His time had come. He was ready to go. The promises God has given us is connected to other things in our lives and those will be triggered if we will be obedient and patient to the end of each. Today, I pray that you will find new resolve to wait for God. To wait with purpose. To keep hope alive and warm in your heart. To follow God with obedience and patience, convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that God is truly the promise Keeper.

Blessings
Glory!