Simeon Waiting

When I first met my husband, we were both college students. That was back in the Stone Ages when there were prepaid cell phones. He had a fancy phone with a data plan, but I was broke, so I had a burner phone for which I had to buy minutes. Suffice it to say we did not stay on the phone all night. Often, we were in different cities, so we would email each other, the equivalent of using a carrier pigeon. Yes, it was an archaic method of communication, even back then. Still, I am glad that we did because now, almost twenty years later, after sixteen years of marriage and one incredibly unbelievable child together, I have a record of all our correspondence.

My husband has been with the LORD for three years now, but I can look back at those emails and feel the comfort of hearing from my best friend. I have pulled several quotes from these emails and put them on the walls so our daughter can see words from her father. He had a lot of wise, sentimental things to say. One of my favorites he wrote early on in our relationship, he said, "I have always been waiting for you." I asked him what he meant by that, and he answered, "I prayed for you, and I knew God would answer, so I waited for you."

Simeon waited. He had been waiting. He knew of the promise, Jesus Christ, the consolation of Israel. Most everyone knew of the prophecy that the Messiah would come and comfort the nation, remove sorrow, and fulfill the promises of both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants (Isaiah 40:1–2). It was God's promise to Simeon that he would live to see the Messiah. Now, as an old man, he heard from the Holy Spirit leading him to the temple where he would not only see the Messiah but hold Him in his arms (Luke 2:26).

Simeon lifted the baby Jesus in his arms and blessed Him in front of His mother and father, Mary and Joseph. Now, Simeon could die; he could go on in peace. Simeon spent years waiting, and God answered his prayers and was true to His promise. In Simeon’s lifetime, he served as a watchman. It probably got lonely. He may have started to doubt, become impatient, or become distracted, but he stayed the course and waited. Now, Simeon could be relieved of his duty.

If nothing else, this should change our perspective on life. We have a duty. God has a job for us to complete, a task for us to finish during our time here on earth. We are watchers, commissioners of faith, and disciple-makers. God’s promises will be fulfilled through us and to us, and once our job is complete, we will be relieved of our duties and on to greener pastures. We might be old like Simeon or young like a baby in the intensive care unit when the promise is fulfilled. Some of us have long journeys, some are short, but all are meant to give glory to God and build His Kingdom.

Are you waiting? Are you working and waiting patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled through you and to you? What promise has God revealed to you? Do you know the prophecy, the one about the return of the Messiah, the Savior of the world? He has been here before, God made low, to suffer and die for the sins of the world (John 3:16). His finished work on the cross is the reason we can have security in eternity with Him.

Jesus is coming. Work for Him while you can, while it is still day (John 9:4). Live for the promise He has revealed to you through His Holy Spirit. Read and study His Word and apply it to your life. Like Simeon, be faithful and keep waiting (Psalm 27:14, Luke 2:25). “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your Word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation" (Luke 2:29-30).

If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, pray this prayer and believe: Jesus, You died upon the cross and rose again to save the lost. Forgive me now of all my sin. Come be my Savior, Lord, and Friend. Change my life and make it new and help me, Lord, to live for you” (Romans 10:9-10, Salvation Poem by Matt and Sherry McPherson).