And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God 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.”
Staying power is everything. Nike ran a slogan a few years, titled, “In it to Win it”. Basically, the ad was suggesting that athletes have to stay in the game to win the prize.
Simeon, though not an athlete, could have been their poster boy for such staying power.Simeon was a precious man. This man was not just a righteous, good man. He was also devout, committed, consistent and waiting. Simeon wasn’t just living his life as a believer. He had a goal. He lived with an expectation. He deeply desired the Lord’s promise.
You must have a certain expectation and hunger to see the manifestation of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It is hunger for the manifestation of the Lord that sets apart believers.
Now Simeon was an old man. He had waited all his life, entire decades of his life, waiting for the Lord. He wasn’t tired of waiting. He was waiting because he expected something BIG from God and God didn’t disappoint him.
Do you ever wonder, what makes Christians different or what makes Christians on fire? Perhaps it is Someone they hold onto.
Christians stay “In it to Win It” because they have something burning in their souls that says, “I won’t quit! I won’t give up, for He who promises is faithful!”
Beloved, if we have Jesus, His Nearness is our Greatness!
Simeon had the Holy Spirit. In Bible times, the Holy Spirit did not come upon devout people. Holy Spirit comes upon desperate, hungry, waiting people.
It was revealed by the Holy Spirit that Simeon would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Christ.
No demon can decay or destroy a man or woman of God who holds onto God’s promises.” [tweet this] They refuse to allow discouragement, disappointment or anxiety to destroy them. They keep rising up and getting back up and running to the presence of Jesus!
Like Simeon, as believers declare God’s promises to be true and wait in expectation, the Lord will manifest His faithfulness!
If the Spirit doesn’t lead, like many in Jerusalem as Mary and Joseph entered the temple, one may miss their visitation. Believers need to follow heaven’s time and heaven’s momentum.
Consider the times: This is not the time for weeping, but the time to rise up and run after our Redeemer, for He who called, is faithful! The Lord is preparing His bride for His second coming. Kings and nations are moving into position. It’s time for the trumpet to blow. It’s time for the Bride to love her King!Like Simeon, we must wait until the promise is placed into our arms. God will manifest His promise in our lives!
Like Simeon, we must stay until we can see Him, until we are diffused and infused by Jesus, and until we are moved into the right position and time by the Holy Spirit. As God’s children, we stay until we see the Promise, for God is always worth the wait.
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