Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, as we begin this New Year, let’s be inspired by the example of Simeon so that we can also learn to wait, listen and move in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Today, we reflect on how The Holy Spirit empowers us to wait in patience for Jesus.
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‘‘Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him 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 2:25-32)
1. Simeon is described as ‘righteous and devout’.
Simeon is described as ‘Righteous’ (díkaios). This is about being in a right relationship with God. He’s also described as ‘Devout’ (eulabḗs). This is to be reverent toward God and seek to take hold of Him and His will. This week, as we look at Simeon in this snapshot, we are seeing a model of a godly man. Surely it’s our greatest ambition to be righteous and devoted to Jesus.
2. Simeon is described as ‘the Holy Spirit was on him’
Simeon was ‘righteous and devout’ because The Holy Spirit was upon Him. The Holy Spirit gives us a new heart for God. However, it’s also true to say that The Holy Spirit was upon Him because He was righteous and devout. Like Simeon, If we want more of The Spirit’s filling, we must give ourselves wholeheartedly to God. However, paradoxically, we can only give ourselves wholeheartedly by the power of The Holy Spirit. Again, this week, as we look at Simeon in this snapshot, may we also seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and give ourselves to holiness which pleases Him.
3. Simeon was waiting for God to fulfil His promise
The final thing that I want us to see today is that that Simeon is described as ‘He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.’ If we were to describe someone who is filled with The Holy Spirit, I wonder if we would say that such a person is righteous, devote and waiting. Waiting well is a fruit of the Spirit.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ (Galatians 5:22-23)
Patience (makrothymía) means long-suffering and forbearance. Those who are filled with the Spirit are able to wait for God to act. Power to wait is a rare thing. We all want things to happen straight away. We all want God to act immediately. Like Simeon, God wants to empower us to wait for Him to act in His own time and way.
Let’s pray together
“Holy Spirit, please fill me again. May I hunger and thirst for righteousness. May I grow in holiness. Help me to be patient as I wait for you to act. Those promises and circumstances that In which I’m waiting for you to act, may I be faithful in prayer, patient in waiting and full of your peace. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday our message from Luke 2:25-32, was entitled, New Year Inspiration From Simeon. Here, we reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit in Simeon’s life and how we might seek to wait, listen and move in the power of the Spirit.
Please read Luke Luke 2:25-32 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What are the various things that are said of the Spirit in this passage?
How would you like to follow the example of Simeon in this New Year?
SIV - What does this text tell us about Jesus’ mission, and how can we be involved?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
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