Looking for the Consolation of Israel…

 

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by 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, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”—Luke 2:25-32

I loved reading these verses last night.  Such beautiful truth spoken by the Holy Spirit here through Simeon.  So much in the news, today, and well...really every day, that is not good.  We live in a fallen world, among fallen human beings where sin abounds.  BUT where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.  What a wonderful example Simeon is, always looking for the Consolation of Israel. 

Simeon was just and devoted...a man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested.  A man who listened to the voice of His God and believed that he would not die until he saw His Lord's Messiah.  How excited and watchful he must have been after John the Baptist came on the scene!  Thinking more on this, Simeon own personal expectation for the Messiah was probably not one of a tiny, helpless baby.  Nevertheless, he believed God's Spirit when He spoke to his heart and was able to see beyond what his own desires and expectations were, and embrace God's plan. 

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant—Psalm 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.—Amos 3:7

Father...Draw me by your Spirit into Your everlasting embrace.  May my soul thirst for You and my flesh long for you. Oh, that I would live my life in Your presence in a continual awareness of my never-ending need for You!  

In my fear, weakness and insufficiency, Jesus, be my help. 

In my grief and loneliness be my consolation and comfort...

in my unrest be my peace...

in my need be my provision...

in my waywardness be my path and my direction...

in my forgetfulness be my “rememberer”...

in my darkness be my light...

in every question be my answer...

in my sin be my forgiveness and way of escape...

And it will be said in that day:

“Behold, this is our God;

We have waited for Him, and He will save us.

This is the LORD;

We have waited for Him;

We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”—Isaiah 25:9

14 For this is God,

Our God forever and ever;

He will be our guide

Even to death.—Psalm 48:14