All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

How to improve your odds. (Sept 30, 2024)

Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/f01d4863/how-to-improve...

Timing is interesting - sometimes the odds are with you, sometimes, not so much.

Some of the folks here in the Southeast tried to beat the odds and ride out Hurricane Helene. For some, it worked out; for others, their determination was their demise. [please pray for those who lost family members, homes and businesses--from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, up through Western North Carolina]

But, I'm wondering--what if you could do something that would increase your odds to see the best thing happen in your life? Ponder that for a moment.

Today we encounter a man who did just that. O God, may we learn from him!

We look on as Joseph and Mary travel with the babe Jesus up to the Temple to present him to the Lord in Luke chapter two. (Now that right there is an interesting thought--two human beings presenting the infant Son of God to God the Father. I tried to write right past that, but could not--what an interesting juxtaposition! is a mind bender.) The young parents offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves--the least of sacrifices, signaling for all that is the most they could do as they are quite poor.

One man observes them, and knows just what he is seeing. His name is Simeon.

What are the odds that he just happens to come to the Temple on this day--just happens to take in the seemingly insignificant couple?

Though his name may mean nothing to you until now, I pray he will get your attention as he has mine because his life is compelling. Luke writes, "At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple."1

What are the chances that on the single day Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the Temple Simeon would witness it ... "So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God . . ."2 Again, what are the odds that the old man would see and know that the promise made to him had just been fulfilled?

Segue.

I like obituaries. I enjoy learning about the lives, vocations, interests, and loves captured in the several sentences of an individual's life. All of these are caught up in Simeon with Luke's description of him as righteous, devout, eagerly waiting for Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit. Wow.

In 'What is Stealing from you?' [https://conta.cc/3TEVcSb], I talked about how fear robs us of contentment, joy and peace, cripples us and renders our faith anemic at best. Today, we see a different way to live--in the life of a man who lived sold out for God. How I want my nickname to be Simeon!

Friend, what would it mean to be righteous, devout, eagerly waiting for Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit?

Simply defining the terms:

Righteous: Living rightly before our God, in obedience to His Word

Devout: Devoted, loyal, not easily pulled away by either the temptations or cares of the world

Eagerly waiting on Jesus: Like Simeon, though he awaited the coming of the Messiah the first time, we await the second coming of Jesus Christ

Led by the Holy Spirit: If we are surrendered to God, fed by His Word and communicating with Him daily, we will be led by the Holy Spirit. As I type, running through my mind are Isaiah's words: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way. Walk in it.' 3

Apparently, Joseph and Mary were somehow impressed by Simeon too, as they allowed the stranger to take tiny baby Jesus (just 40 days old) into his arms. Consider his words to God, which served as a blessing of the Son of God as well: “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”4. Jesus, the light of the world, given for the salvation of all people.

One thing is certain, and please do not miss it: if by God's help, we endeavor to be righteous, devout, expectantly waiting on Jesus, and led by the Holy Spirit--

--each of our days would be imbued with meaning,

--fear would not steal from us,

--we would live faith-filled and expectant,

--we would sense the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit.

A prayer for today:

Lord God, Maker of Heaven and earth,

I want to live sold-out for you today, prioritizing what You do,

not pulled to and fro by the culture in which we live

or the worries that press in.

Give me the fortitude to start each day in Your Word,

living by intention, close to the heart of God.

Instead of fearing what might or might not happen,