25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
I don't know about you, but often I read passages I've re-read before and take it face value, like a story, not recognizing the significance of the words.
This was a big deal. No one had heard a message from God in 400 years. Four. Hundred. Years!! That's a long time. And suddenly, an old man named Simeon, who had served God faithfully and devotedly, heard a message from God. And not just any message! The long awaited message that the Messiah was coming! And not only was the Messiah coming, but He was coming soon. And not only was He coming soon, but Simeon would see Him with his own eyes!
What a privilege! What amazing news this was. What an amazing reward to a faithful servant. Why Simeon? Surely there were other righteous and devout men serving with him. We don't know. All we know is that God chose him, in an act of grace. Though Simeon was godly, this was still unmerited and undeserved - as is any gracious gift from God.
Like Simeon, God has chosen you. He has chosen you for something. No, it might not be something as big as the announcement of the Messiah. But He still has a plan for you. Whatever it is, He hasn't chosen you because of anything you have or haven't done, but because of His mercy and grace. It is a gift.
May we live out the calling God has chosen for us, wherever we are, and whatever it is.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Deuteronomy 33-34, Luke 3
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