By Rev. Joaquin Maldonado
My Dear friends: I wish you the richest of God's blessings this Christmas season and lots of joy and fulfilled hope in the years ahead. Following is an article from christdisciples.org. I invite you to read it and remain blessed. Bye for now. J. Maldonado A fulfilled Hope The story of Simeon found in the gospel of Luke chapter two, is briefly stating, an uncommon case of patience. We read that it was “revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” Luke 2:26 However, we aren’t told for how long he waited or how old he was when he finally saw the baby Jesus. But we know that Simeon had a living hope which was untouched or crowded by untamed human desires. He was asked to wait for “the consolation of Israel.” So, his life was driven almost entirely by the sole purpose of reaching this goal. He patiently and expectantly waited on God, relying on His strength to whom he fully abandoned his will. ... See More When God’s time was accomplished, his patience was rewarded. Years of uncomplaining waiting, anticipation, hope and prayers became instantly fulfilled. The Holy Spirit led him to the temple court where he awaited the arrival of Jesus and his parent. There he saw and received the baby Jesus. With the baby Jesus in his arm, Simeon thankfully asked the Sovereign Lord to dismiss him in peace after he had given profound prophesies about Him. What a relief and a fulfilled hope! This story reminds me of my nine year old son. He was ecstatic as he related the testimony of his DS Nintendo gift in the church. He said he had wanted the gift so very much, but receiving it was dependent on his fulfilling the goals that his mom had set for him. He had doubts that he would reach the goals by Thanksgiving Day when he expected the gift. “So, I asked God to assist me and I did not remind my mom about it at all”, he said. “In the Thanksgiving Day morning, God answered my prayer. My mom presented me with a brand new DS Nintendo, and in the color I have always wanted.” He reported, beaming with a smile. Like my little son, I can imagine Simeon swelling up with gratitude and joy as he held baby Jesus in his arm. The Scripture says it was “revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ”. He had waited all his life to witness the promised child. Simeon understood an important truth. God is true to His word. To date, God still honors His word above all else. Simeon knew also that it is impossible for Him to repudiate what has gone out of His mouth, so he wrapped himself with patient. And he was eminently rewarded. But stop and think! Is patience, possible in our age of instant satisfaction? There are pressures and urges to get our wants now and at any means. But consider Simeon. He is described as righteous and devout, which implies that he was dedicated, virtuous and totally consecrated to living for God in achieving the goal He had set for him. Dear friends, if you want to reach your God-given goal, like Simeon, you must be willing to wholly give up yourself to God. Then God’s Spirit will lead you daily. There might be clouds of difficulties and hardships; perhaps, betrayal too, overspreading your paths, but you must remain resolute on achieving your goal, and be patient; the Spirit of the living God will one day lead you into the temple courts of God’s blessing from whence you will be presented with your reward. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
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