December 28 The Great Consolation

Luke 2:25-32 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 upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
 
SIMEON is a very faithful servant of God. God had given to him a wonderful promise: Simeon would see the Savior before he died. And here comes Jesus. Simeon felt God’s great love. Simeon was assured, and he was consoled in God’s promises come into his life.
     Jesus is our consolation, our comfort and our light when we turn to him and trust his teachings. Jesus’ life brought peace to Simeon, who knew God had fulfilled his promise. And Jesus is the one who brings peace to our souls when we see and believe that Jesus is God’s fulfilled salvation promise.  
     Center your life on this good news. Everything – that is each thing in the world – will fade away and disappear. But God’s promised Savior is with you always. He consoles you in your struggles. He guides you into his light that “the peace of Christ (will) rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15)
         
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you are so grieved over our sin you sent the Great Consolation to bring peace to our souls. Amen.