Luke 2:29-32

New King James Version

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

For Encouragement

In this world, you get what you live for. If you live for Christ and His righteousness, He will reward you with your heart’s desire, since it will be all after Him. Any other desires yield worldliness and deceptive dividends of no eternal value.

Simeon was a righteous and devoted worshipper of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. He knew the history of his people and he held on tightly to God’s covenant promises to restore the fortunes of Israel under His Messiah (Isaiah 40:1-2). All the prophets spoke about this future king who would ascend the throne of David and restore his kingdom, which would bring peace to Israel and the rest of the world (9:6-7). This Messiah is the consolation Simeon lived and prayed for throughout his life. The Holy Spirit assured him by revelation that Simeon would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah (Lk. 2:25-26).

God is ever faithful to His promises. On the day Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate Him to the Lord, the Holy Spirit led Simeon there to hold the boy in his arms, and he praised the Lord (27-32). Simeon lived for the consolation of Israel, and God kept him alive until he saw Jesus and held Him. Isn’t God good?

Now he could die. The Sovereign Lord has fulfilled His promise to Israel and the Gentile nations. He has seen the Lord’s salvation, which is marvelous in his sight (29-32). What else could he live for?

What are you living for, child of the Most High? Would you see what you are looking for in the face of Jesus this Christmas? What does it remind you about your salvation and what it took the Lord to make it happen? Are you living to fulfill His purpose for your life—seeking His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)? Are you living for His will and glory to prevail, and also for His second coming? As Jesus quizzed, what would it profit you to gain the entire riches of this world but lose your soul (16:26)?

Asaph got it right at the end as he sought to understand the seeming carefree living of the rich against the suffering of the righteous (Psa. 73:1-24).

Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever (25-26).

Do you live for Christ alone in the way? Then rejoice this Christmas and let your joy be infectious. Hallelujah!

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for your faithfulness to those who are determined to live for you. You are all my heart desires, Jesus, here and in heaven. Amen.