PATIENCE 5 - Think about God's promises while you wait.

 Patience 5 - English files

Geduld 5 - German files 

Devotional Thoughts about Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-38)

This is one of the lesser well-known stories surrounding the Incarnation. Some people on the sidelines of Jesus’ birth—such as Herod and the population of Jerusalem men­tioned in Matthew 2:3—were taken off guard and seemed threatened by it.

But the two people introduced in this story were waiting for the event, recognized its significance and praised God for it. Among all their ancestors who’d spent their lives anti­ci­­pating the fulfillment of the promise, these two were given the privilege of seeing the Messiah with their own eyes.

Mary and Joseph went to the temple to dedicate their firstborn son to God (see Exodus 13:2 and Leviticus 12:8 for the instructions), and the Holy Spirit clearly arranged Simeon’s coinciding visit. Simeon was thrilled when his own personal promise came true that day. His prophecy was surely com­forting as well as alarming for Mary.

We’re told Anna was always in the temple, so she had a front row seat for the encounter with Simeon. She thanked God for what she’d seen and told others who were also waiting.

Lord, please help me to wait and also to tell people about what You’ve promised and have already done.

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