Day 16: Anna and Simeon Hear God’s Promise
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. - Luke 2:25-38
Devotional:
My mom has always been the prayer warrior in our family. She prayed throughout her entire marriage that my dad would discover his need for Jesus and have a changed heart. I can still remember the day it happened and my moms deep sense of relief that it finally had. You might think that praying for something for decades without seeing it would be discouraging but it wasn’t. Her faith wasn't in the timing, but in the Promise Keeper.
Simeon and Anna represent something rare in our instant-gratification world: holy waiting. Simeon had received a promise that he would see the Messiah before his death. Anna had devoted herself to temple worship for decades. Neither of them had a timeline, just a promise. What strikes me about both of them is that they didn't just wait passively - they waited expectantly. They positioned themselves where God's promise would find them.
The text tells us Simeon was "moved by the Spirit" to go to the temple that day. After years of waiting, he recognized the nudge when it came. Anna, who "never left the temple," was right where she needed to be when the moment arrived. Their stories teach us that long-term faithfulness positions us to recognize God's voice when He speaks.
But here's what really gets me: both Simeon and Anna were essentially waiting their entire lives for a moment that lasted just a few minutes. Was it worth it? Their responses suggest it absolutely was. Simeon burst into praise, and Anna couldn't stop talking about Jesus to everyone she met. They show us that a lifetime of waiting is not too high a price for even a moment of seeing God's promises fulfilled.
Reflection Questions:
What promise from God are you waiting to see fulfilled, and how are you positioning yourself to recognize its fulfillment?
How has the waiting itself shaped your relationship with God?
Prayer Prompt: Thank God for His perfect timing, and ask Him to help you wait expectantly and faithfully, growing in trust during the seasons of waiting.