16th. June. 2021. Daily Devotion.
29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ Luke 2:28-32
We need to keep in mind that Jesus was only a baby. He had not started his ministry. He had not performed any miracles. He had not died on the cross or risen from the dead. Today, we the whole story in the Bible to nurture to our faith, however Simeon, with nothing more than a baby boy, Mary, Joseph, and most importantly, the Holy Spirit, looked at this child and knew. He took baby Jesus in his arms and proclaimed, “Now I can die because I have seen how you will save your people.”
The very beginning of the Christian faith was displayed right here in this room of the temple, even though the term Christian had not yet come into existence. But Simeon also said one other important thing, “He will bring God to the Gentile nation.” This is all before Peter was shown the blanket of unclean animals coming down from heaven; his commission to preach to the Gentiles.
These words were amazing to Mary and Joseph and are amazing words for us today. Simeon’s faith was a forward faith. He could see that Jesus would be rejected and sorrow would pierce the hearts of his parents. In this helpless little baby, he could see the Redeemer.
Ours is a backward faith, in that we have the message in its entirety, in the Bible, and we can believe. But we can also have a forward faith, by believing that Christ will one day return. It’s a promise to come, just as the promise to Simeon that the Messiah would come. J Calvert.
Dearest Saviour, Thank you for the completed message we have in your word. Help us to grow in faith. Amen
Prayer for Family and Friends
Blessed are you, loving Father, for all your gifts to me and those close to me. Blessed are you for giving me family and friends to be with me in times of joy and sorrow, to help me in days of need, and to rejoice with me in moments of celebration.
Father, I praise you for your son Jesus, who knew the happiness of family and friends, and in the love of your Holy Spirit. Blessed are you for ever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Renewal
O Creator God
Great one who created the stars and the vast ocean depths.
Let me begin anew and bloom like the flowers,
After a spring rain.
Free me from the pain of my past.
Help me to unburden my mind and soul,
And begin again.
Refresh my soul O Lord,
Let me move forward in hope.
Keep me from revisiting the thoughts and the pain
That have held me down and frozen me in place.
Let me find forgiveness for those who have injured me,
Let me forgive my own mistakes and misdeeds.
You are my compass and my anchor.
Please Lord let me have the strength,
The strength to let go and to move,
Always toward your light,
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
You have given us life
While we endure this time of the virus, we might forget the gift of life You have given us. Trials test but strengthen our faith. You have promised that if we ask, we shall receive. We ask that we might do Your will. We are confident that this crisis will bring a deeper appreciation of the fullness of life that you have promised to those who place their trust in You. Amen.
