Keeping promises is tricky business. We like the concept. But sticking to our word can prove a bit more difficult. As kids, we try setting ourselves up for a better success rate by creating failsafes, like the infamous “pinky promise.” Because, as everyone knows, if it’s a pinky promise, it can’t be broken.
I know some people who are really good at keeping their word. Their promises aren’t unrealistic because they recognize their own limits, but the ones they do make are meant to make a difference. I promise to support you in any way I can. I promise to hold you accountable. I promise to let you know if there’s anything you can do for me. These statements reflect more about the person’s commitment than their ability to carry it out. After all, even the best of friends can’t keep a perfect record.
Simeon’s story is a beautiful account of someone who not only received a very personal promise from God, but also had the joy of seeing it fulfilled during his lifetime. He is depicted as a sort of spiritual elder, being ”righteous and devout” and “looking forward to Israel’s consolation” (Luke 2:25). With tenderness, we see Simeon take the object of his affection into his arms and say to the Lord, “You can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation” (vv.29–30). He was one of the first to recognize Jesus for who He really was.
Can you imagine the joy, as well as the relief? The Holy Spirit’s promise was that Simeon would pass away only after seeing the Messiah, and he responded to this promise with trust (v.26). Although seeing the Messiah with his own eyes didn’t mean he was doomed to die the next day, it did mean God’s promise had been fulfilled. Simeon’s trust in this promise had been rewarded. Even if he didn’t live long enough to see how his words of prophecy played out, he was blessed to know that the consolation of Israel was here.
The same was true for widowed Anna, the prophetess who was “well along in years” (v.36). She stayed in the temple, serving God day and night. Though it is unlikely she lived to see the redemptive story of Jesus unfold, we do know she joyfully bore witness to the Christ child in her advanced age (vv.36–38).
Remembering that God is the one who makes and keeps the biggest promises—including the ones that will outlast us—helps to strengthen our hope for today. In what ways do you need to trust in Him today? Grab hold of His promises. Even when we can’t see the full picture, God is our great Keeper of Promises.
Casey Hicks, in response to your question yesterday, I think some of it may have to do with Zechariah was quite a bit older than Mary and also he was priest, so the angel Gabriel and God may have expected more out of Zechariah.
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible but for some reason today I thought to myself, would I just let someone grab my baby out of my arms, even if it was at my church or synagogue. Then I got to thinking back then custom and ways were very different then our own. But still how did Mary feel when Simeon came and took infant Jesus out of her arms. Then Anna took Him. I know how the “pass the baby” game goes. When my two boys were young I would go to a small church near the downtown area of Kansas City with my mom (she played the piano there) and that would happen with my sons. I was still a little scared but I trusted them because these were people my mom trusted.
The picture of strangers taking the baby into their arms : abruptly made me realize how Jesus did belong and does belong to everyone, despite being born into a specific human family. Mary and Joseph were not going to be able to keep him only for themselves; human family commitments were not going to have precedence over the needs of all the others. It’s a way of looking at our own born-again lives in Christ also; we are part of a new extended family of God and our lives are not only our own or our family’s, but should be “used” for the service of others, overcoming any selfishness we feel to keep our time and resources for ourselves. What a difficult calling for me in my humanness, unless I can let the Spirit take over
Wow! What a great insight! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Now that’s powerful ❤️
Amen!! Simeon saw Jesus! God’s promise and we have Jesus salvation. Thank you Tina. Your words really blessed me this morning. What an awesome God we have. How blessed we are to see the fruit of Jesus salvation and to have theHoly Spirit to guide us. Hallelujah, He is risen!
Praying for you Sarah D as you talk to your campus pastor at Liberty! My sister just graduated from there and had similar feelings regarding their lack of acknowledgement of racism. Praying for wisdom and strength to voice your concerns, for uplifting conversation, and that change IS made!
Also lifting Dorothy up in prayer as you get ready to move this weekend. Praying for peace as I’m sure this weekend will be very hard for you and your family.
Praying for your son Traci Gendron! That he comes back to the loving arms of the father.
Heidi – Thank you for sharing. I love the way the SRT team, through their podcast and Instagram, has shared recently that when we lament the heaviness of this world, we are living according to God’s will and Word. There is a book (by some of the SRT devotional writers of studies past) that I think might provide you with strength and peace during this time: “The Book of Comforts: Genuine Encouragement for Hard Times.” May the God of all comfort bless you, sister!
I love seeing the Holy Spirit referenced before Pentecost. We saw it in John the Baptist within Elizabeth’s womb and we see it now in Simeon. As Christians, the Holy Spirit is an integral part of our being – we are united to the Father through the Spirit that He graciously imparted to us. That Spirit can NEVER be taken away from us. When we remind ourselves that we have immediate access to the Father through the Spirit, we can allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit and rest in the mighty will of God. I want to turn my eyes within to look for the Spirit’s guiding in my life, and to trust God enough to follow in obedience.
Love the question about reflecting on areas I need to trust God in my life today. Definitely going to ponder it.
Lastly, for those who have not read through the Promises of God study that SRT did a few studies ago, I would highly recommend it!
Praise the Lord, (1 Peter 2:9) we can know Him and trust His promises.(Luke 2:29-30) The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7) We don’t always understand His ways, but He is full of justice and righteousness, loving freely (Hosea 13-14) and His grace is sufficient and perfectly planned (2 Corinthians 12). (Psalm 31:14-15)
Loved this. And what spoke to me is the small verse tucked in Luke 2, verse 27, that said, “Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple.” I want to be like that….allowing the Spirit to guide and lead my every move. Wonder how my life would look if I practiced this every day.
Beautiful!!
Thank you for seeing this verse and sharing.
Prayers appreciated as my friends and I talk with our campus pastor on how to act against racism at our school! I feel like a Moses, but trying to give over the reins to the Holy Spirit, and praying he would speak through us and he would be in our conversation.