September 11

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be appeared – and a sword will pierce even your own soul – to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” Luke 2: 34-35

The way we live our lives in 2014 is drastically different to those our parents led. Things they didn't even dream of are now taken for granted. Charles Swindoll describes it this way:

“In a world of microwaves and text messages, instant gratification is a way of life. Why wait when we don't have to? Patience may be a virtue, but the busy lives we lead just don't leave any room for waiting. We wake in the morning, zip through the coffee-shop drive-through, zoom to work, rush through meetings, skip lunch, fly home, hurry to extra-curricular activities, hit the local fast-food restaurant, arrive home late, and crash in our beds.”

When life moves a million miles a second, we simply don't have time to slow down and wait for anything. Or do we?

Your life and mine may not be as frenetic as that, but you get the point? What about our spiritual lives? Do we live that with the treadmill running faster and faster? Do we read a few verses of the Bible, shoot off a quick prayer, and off we go again on the spinning roundabout. If so, our priorities need a makeover.

In complete contrast Luke 2:25-35 introduces us to Simeon, an old man who had waited patiently for the day he would see the Messiah – a lifetime of anticipation. God had promised (vs.26) so Simeon waited, day in, day out. That promise was fulfilled at last in the temple courts. Mary and Joseph had taken baby Jesus to be dedicated to God, and as they emerged from the temple Simeon came face to face with the Messiah he had faithfully waited for. Now he could die in peace as the words of Isaiah (52:7-10) the prophet had been fulfilled – his Saviour had come, and all nations would be blessed. Blessing the family, Simeon spoke his famous last words, the words of our text today, foretelling the events of Christ's life while on earth, and the agony His mother would feel as she watched her Son being nailed to the cross.

Simeon's patience paid off, he had trusted in God's promise. With laser focus Simeon had kept his eyes fixed on God....and he waited. But don't get it wrong, patience doesn't mean inactivity. Simeon kept moving – he did three things: 1. He kept serving the Lord. 2. He prayed God would fulfil His promise. 3. He lived every day with hope. And there could be a 4^th., because Simeon would undoubtedly have shared his hope of the coming Messiah with others.

After reading Simeon's story, I ask myself: Does patience mark my life? Do I expect God to answer my prayers immediately, and get mad when He doesn't? Am I willing to wait for the Lord's perfect timing – really trust Him? What I do know is that I must keep my mind and eyes focused on our Saviour.

So, let us wait patiently on the Lord to fulfil His promises. Keep moving. Keep serving Him, and keep sharing the Good News – the Messiah has come! Tomorrow we will look at more famous last words.

Simeon I'm sure, would have echoed the words of today's song - “I Stand Amazed” - Selah.

       

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here