SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:33-40
Remember how the angel told Mary she was specially favoured by God (Luke 1:28)?
Compare that with what Simeon says, “A sword will wound your own soul too.” (Luke 2:35)
If this is what it means to be favoured, then who would want it?
Or what about Anna, a deeply spiritual, pious lady, widowed for at least 60 years (probably more).
What is striking is that she remains devoted to God, confident that He is on her side.
Jesus Himself, destined to a horrible death, was considered “blessed by God’s grace” (Luke 2:40).
Maybe faith and wisdom is seeing beyond the immediate circumstances to the deeper blessing behind them (Luke 2:38).
Confident, no matter what we’re going through, God’s hand is at work behind the scenes for something better.
Seeing a baby, yet confident that this baby is the key to God’s promises fulfilled.
What are your tough circumstances, how is your soul being pierced, where is God’s favour weighing you down?
Affirm, declare out loud, your confidence that God IS at work in and around and through you.
God is at work for something better for all, and one day we will see it, and understand it, and thank God for it!
With Anna and the people, we too are looking forward to the time when everything will be set free.
And we too will give thanks to God because of Jesus.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, as I experience my own personal struggle, I am choosing to trust that Your hand of blessing is also on me, and that You are doing something bigger, something better, something more wonderful than I could ever conceive! I look for ward to seeing it!
Observations/Application
The words of prophecy ‘hit’ the parents. Then Simeon said more of what was t happen. Knowing all this, what would be the reaction. Children are a blessing from the Lord? Knowing what would happen with our own families, would we still want it to happen? Every day is a day with God Who provides.
Then there was Anna who spoke of the redemption of Israel. The parents must have been overwhelmed of all what they had herd about this Son of theirs.
They followed the Law and Law and went home and went His Way for they were lead by His Spirit. Knowing the will of the Lord = Doing the will of the Lord. Not only was the grace of God upon Jesus but also upon the parents, Who provided for all their needs – their material needs, their anxieties, their daily living.
Prayer
Help me daily to trust and obey in Your Way Lord in all I do and say. You have paved the Way and help me each day to meet the challenges of the day. You also provide for all my needs to meet the challenges each day to be Your champion. Thank You Lord.
All that I am I owe to Thee,
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me;
I give my Maker thankful praise,
Whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
My life in all its perfect plan
Was ordered ere my days began.
Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
More precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
Awaking I am still with Thee.