Day 7: Hope of all the earth
Simeon took [the Child, Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “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 2:28-32).
Our faithful, sovereign God and Father, the psalmist enlisted prayer and praise as as he prophesied by the power of the Holy Spirit:
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (Psalm 98:1-3).
Your righteous and devout servant, Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), knew this prophecy, and others like it: (Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 25:7, Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 52:10, Isaiah 60:3, Malachi 4:2). He believed, as did Your servant Mary, that "No word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:34-38).
Father, may we in our day, embrace Your faithful word and Your truth. In the midst of a world full of unbelief, naysaying, scoffing, ridicule, mockery, lies, and distortions, Your unshakable word still never fails. Give us the courage and faith to believe, and to declare, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).
On the basis of Your promises, Simeon waited for the Consolation of Israel, Your promised Messiah— light for the nations, the hope and salvation of all the ends of the earth (Psalm 98:2-3, Luke 2:32). Centuries of war, upheaval, tyranny and oppression did not— could not— negate Your faithful word.
And on the basis of those same proven promises, the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19). Like Simeon, Your people have been certain, through centuries of continued human turmoil and evil, warmongering and conflict, abuse and injustice, tyranny and oppression, that the promised Prince of Peace will come, for no word from God will ever fail.
At this blessed Christmas season we are reminded that the promise will reach its ultimate fulfilment just as surely as Simeon cradled a little baby and praised God, saying, "My eyes have seen Your salvation..." (Luke 2:30).
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7 – NKJV).
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