Today's Devotional Thought
December 28, 2010 by Rachel Piferi
God Keeps His Promises
In Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth we see His presentation at the temple by Mary and Joseph. And, while at the temple, we are introduced to Simeon and Anna. Luke tells us that both Simeon and Anna were very righteous and devout and that they were close to God. It is written that Anna was a prophetess and that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. And both were awaiting the Messiah.
When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, both Simeon and Anna instantly recognized Jesus as the Messiah. And both praised God upon meeting their Savior.
One thing that we see in this passage, like many other stories in the Bible, is that God keeps His promises. God promised Simeon that he would not die without seeing the Messiah. And, even though both Simeon and Anna were very old when they met Jesus, God kept that promise. And, because Simeon was righteous and devout, he recognized the Messiah instantly and thanked God for keeping His promise to him.
How easily do we get discouraged when we don’t feel like our prayers are being answered fast enough? Have you ever noticed, though, that throughout the Bible there are many stories of promises from God being fulfilled after many years of waiting. Abraham and Sarah had a child very late in life, even though it was promised to Abraham early in his life. Zechariah and Elizabeth also were given a child very late in life after many years of praying. And now, Simeon and Anna have finally met the Messiah after years of waiting for His arrival.
Do you feel like God’s promises for your life are not being met fast enough? Do you feel like He does not hear your prayers? I think what we can learn from Anna and Simeon, Abraham and Sarah, and Zechariah and Elizabeth is that God does hear our prayers and does keep His promises. And, Anna and Simeon have shown us that by being devout while we are waiting, we will recognize the fulfillment of God’s promise instantly.
So, if you are waiting for God to fulfill His promises to you, then I encourage you to wait patiently and devoutly. And, by spending time in God’s Word and with Him while you wait, you will recognize the fulfillment of His promises when it happens. And, you will praise Him instantly as Anna and Simeon did when they finally met the Messiah.
December