Let’s be honest. How many of you have ever heard of Simeon? I think that most people skim through this little story about Jesus’ presentation at the temple, thinking it’s weird, and move on. When you slow down and imagine this scene playing out, there is so much we can learn about who God is.

Simeon was righteous, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Most Jews during this time believed the Messiah would be a great military leader who would defeat Rome and set them free. Instead, Simeon “came in the Spirit into the temple” (v. 27) and when he saw baby Jesus, he knew He was the Messiah. Simeon picked up Jesus (can you imagine Mary’s face!) and began to describe the future plan God had in store for little Jesus with more detail than the angels had told Mary and Joseph. A few things stand out:

• God’s power and control in all circumstances is on display in this encounter. It’s so good to rest in the promise of God’s goodness and not our own qualifications.
• Simeon had to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Most of us are not very good at waiting. The Bible is filled with stories of people who had to wait faithfully on the Lord, but God was at work in the waiting.

Simeon reminds us that God is in control, and that His Spirit will sustain us in our waiting.

How does God’s control over all things impact our ability to be patient in our waiting?