Don’t give up
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26
Yesterday the Lord revealed something to me. It was something that I have been praying about and something I have been waiting to see. I know it is God’s will because it lines up with His Word and I know I will see it because of my faith. The timing is what is a little cloudy. I don’t know how long it will take to see it actually happen and I don’t know the way it will happen. Still, since He opened my eyes to it, I have that revelation to hold onto until I do see it actually show up in the physical world. I believe what He said in His Word, and I believe what He has spoken to my heart. Now I am thanking Him for this revealing until my eyes see it in the natural.
This is kind of what happened in today’s reading. Simeon, a devout man, was waiting to see what God had revealed to him. He was shown that he would not die until Messiah was born. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem, he was also there to see His Messiah. He knew from seeing Jesus that the revelation God had given him was complete and he could die in peace. The revelation that he had been holding on to for years had finally intersected with his life. His prayers had been answered, but he had to wait for it for many years.
God works the same way today, but our world is a little different in that we expect to see things happen immediately. Our culture is all about now, not later. Often times this mentality transfers over into our prayer life. We ask God for something and then expect that it will show up as soon as we finish praying about it. While that can happen and does sometimes, the more likely thing is that we will have to wait and watch as God works out and strategically moves things into place for the answer to get through. Our prayers are opening the door of heaven to reach into this world, but most times, it is not instantaneously. The majority of the answered prayers only show up as we determine to hold on and hold out for the answer.
Today I want to encourage you to not give up. Hold on to the things you are talking to God about and hold on to the things He is revealing to your heart. Your answer may take some time to show up in your life, but if you continue to thank God that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose, (that being you) you will see His salvation and the answer you have been believing for after many days. As you pray about things today, ask the Lord to reveal to you either by scripture or by knowing in your heart that He is working on this request and that it will be seen in this natural world. Hold on to God’s Word the way Simeon did in our reading today and you will not be disappointed. Plus, you will have something to rejoice about along the way.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 2:25-35
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The Daily Dose 