Love Sees the Face of Hope

And rejoices in God’s unfailing goodness!

Two of the people I love to read about at Christmas are people I consider as some of the unsung heroes. They are the backstage persevering servants of God who prayed to get to see the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah. They were born and called of God to live, believe, pray in anticipation and wait expectantly for this specific, miraculous time in history.

”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.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

They are Simeon and Anna.

”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.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These two precious people probably lived long without pomp or circumstance and most likely without notice of their service to God. They were simply faithful, and they each were loyal to God to protect His promise of good in their hearts. And though they lived without notoriety on earth, God knew them very well.

God mentioned Simeon and Anna in His word as some of His son’s first visitors. Simeon recognized Jesus as the long awaited Messiah, and was blessed to take His Savior in his humble arms. And these are Simeon’s words as He looked full in the face of Hope.

”“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.”“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭29‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And prayer warrior, Anna, when she beheld her long awaited Savior and King she worshipped God with a joyful heart of thanksgiving and then went out spreading the good news.

”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 ‭2‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Simeon and Anna adored Christ in their hearts long before He became flesh and blood. They believed the promises of God. Each one worshipped and prayed with persevering faith for the coming Messiah. This is good news for all of us.

Do you hold in your heart of faith, without sight, a promise God made to you?

All of us, children of the Most High God have the opportunity to carry in faith and pray for the promise that Jesus is coming again! Have you ever thought it? Maybe we were born to believe, hold faith and pray for the coming of our King. Perhaps we, like Simeon and Anna, will look full into His mighty conquering face and know we were born to prepare this time in history.

Perhaps we won’t see the fullness of God’s promises on this side of Heaven. Either way, God is good. His promises are true. And when we pray, believing, He feeds our faith with glimpses of Hope.

So, may we be so very well known in heaven and by Almighty God as those who come and adore His Son believing He has not abandoned us. May we pray in adoration for our King is coming in the fullness of time.

Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, always giving thanks in the middle while we watch and wait.

1 O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

2 For he alone is worthy,
For he alone is worthy,
For he alone is worthy,
Christ the Lord.

3 Let’s praise his name together,
Let’s praise his name together,
Let’s praise his name together,
Christ the Lord.

4 We’ll give him all the glory,
We’ll give him all the glory,
We’ll give him all the glory,
Christ the Lord.

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Live Love Brightly,

Lisa