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Hope in Action

Writer's picture: East Martin CRCEast Martin CRC

Luke 2:25-35

Verse 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.


The first thing we find out about Simeon is that is he was devout and righteous. This is very important because this was the basis of why the Holy Spirit had come upon him. If he hadn’t been living close to God, the Spirit wouldn’t have revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. In fact the very reason that Simeon was in the Temple that day was the Spirit had led him there to see the babe.


While others were awaiting a mighty conqueror, Simeon didn’t look for the Messiah of his own thinking, he hoped in God and followed the Spirit. But we need to remember it wasn’t that Simeon was just lucky to be picked by God for this honor. No, he was devout to God and was counted as righteous. This wasn’t something that came to him naturally, it was his making God the Lord of his life. He was hoping for the Promised One because he trusted God, because he knew God’s character. He wasn’t simply believing what God said may happen, he knew that since God had said it, it would happen.


Simeon was in for the joy of a lifetime. His hope was so secure in God he never doubted that this infant was the Messiah. While others were awaiting a military genius, Simeon took the Spirit’s prompting and never looked back. He saw this infant and recognized Him as the Promised Savior. His hope was pure because his devotion was pure.


As we look at hope and what role it plays in our lives we need to ask ourselves about the depth of our devotion. If we truly hope in the Lord, trusting Him to keep His long spoken promises, we won’t miss His promises when they are right in front of us. And if we don’t miss them we need to have the same response that Simeon had – praise. Hope which isn’t followed by praise is shallow hope. If our hope and trust is in God, we must acknowledge He is the one who keeps His word and give Him the praise He deserves. This is the hope the people we talked about the last few days were missing. This was the hope in the eternal God and His eternal plan. This is something we should still be praising Him for.


Making It Personal

What does it mean to be devoted and righteous? If your hope is equal to your devotion, what is the level of your hope? Do you praise when you see a promise of God fulfilled?


Making It Personal Kids

What does devoted mean? Why did Simeon praise when he saw Jesus? What did Simeon know about Jesus?


Closing Prayer

Father, our level of hope in You and Your promises are directly connected to our level of devotion to You. We praise You as we evaluate our level of devotion. May we seek full devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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East Martin Christian Reformed Church

510 118th Ave

Martin, MI 49070

eastmartin.510@gmail.com

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