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

Luke 2:25

For Meditation

I had a laugh listening to a journalist interview a politician yesterday. He wanted the assessment of his party’s dismal performance in the parliamentary elections of the country. Unwilling to admit the obvious, the man countered the journalist’s question with his own. His point? No plan works out one hundred percent. Some projections fail, while others work out fine. His party had won the presidential, as they predicted, and that is all that matters.

The year 2020 will end very soon. Many will sit to assess the plans they made for the year; and plan for 2021. COVID-19 could become the number one excuse for many. Others will blame God for the pandemic and all that went wrong. They trusted Him, so why didn’t God honor Himself in their expectations? The fact of the matter is that it is not just what we plan for, but what God desires for our lives as part of His grand plan for the world.

Oldman Simeon had expectations for his life, like everybody else. He was righteous and devout (Lk. 2:25). His entire life was about God and His dealings with Israel. He had consecrated his heart to God to see the coming of His promised Messiah. Deliverance for Israel was his passion, and it consumed him. He lived for it, prayed for it, and waited for it. He desired what God planned for His people. And when our heart lines up with God’s heart on any issue, He honors Himself in it.

That is what Jesus meant when He said that He was going to the Father, therefore, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (Jn. 14:13-14). Simeon desired and waited for what God had planned for Israel. Therefore, the Holy Spirit kept him and guided him to the dedication ceremony of the Messiah. He could, therefore, die in peace (Lk.2:25-29).

As we sit to review the year 2020, let us be honest about our evaluation. We should ask ourselves if the things we desired for the year were godly. And when we look ahead to plan for 2021, may we seek after the heart of God in everything and pray for it?

May the Holy Spirit direct your heart and consecrate it to glorify God in your plans for the year 2021 (Prov, 3:5-6).