Words of Hope Daily Devotional
The Pain of Waiting
Read: Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (v. 25)
Waiting can be excruciating, especially when one is waiting with uncertainty, remaining suspended between “yes and no” and “now and then.” What do you do when you are not in control? It may be a long wait for a marriage proposal, a career opportunity, healing, a promotion, or a pending court decision—waiting for something to happen, for something to move forward.
Being focused on the anticipated result can wear you out mentally and emotionally. Pushing forward to a dead end is neither encouraging nor productive. Today’s reading gives us a picture of faithful waiting. Simeon waited with uncertainty, but he “was righteous and devout” and “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (v. 25). Not in him but “upon” him. Notice also that he was in the right location, so he did not miss seeing Jesus. His expectation was fulfilled: “My eyes have seen your salvation” (v. 30).
For Simeon, waiting demanded the right focus and absolute trust in God. For us, waiting should include reflection on our values and a focus on God, who is our ultimate love. Then, the act of waiting will not wear us out, but instead become an opportunity for renewal and reinvigoration. As Christians, we not only wait for the anticipated result, but we wait upon the Lord himself.
As you pray, ask God to transform your waiting period into a season of growth and creative production.
About the Author
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
Dead and Buried
Read: John 19:31-42 Since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (v. 42) On Saturday, Jesus was dead. Christians call this day, the day when life itself stopped and Jesus’s body lay in the tomb, Holy Saturday.
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Read: John 19:17-30 And I, when I am lifted up . . . will draw all people to myself. (John 12:32) Beneath the cross of Jesus was not a nice place to be. The sights and sounds and smells of
The Person Who Carried His Cross
Read: Luke 23:26-33 They seized one Simon of Cyrene . . . and laid on him the cross. (v. 26) There is a street in Jerusalem known as the Via Dolorosa, the “Way of Sorrows.” It is the route Christ
The Judge Who Condemned Him
Read: John 18:28-19:16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. (v. 16) The Apostles’ Creed mentions three names among its 100 or so words. The first, of course, is Jesus; the second is Mary; the third is
The Disciple Who Denied Him
Read: Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75 And immediately the rooster crowed. (v. 74) Many of the people who welcomed Jesus with loud “Hosannas” on Palm Sunday must also have shouted, “Crucify him!” on Good Friday. It’s perilously easy to betray or deny
The Man Who Betrayed Him
Read: Matthew 26:20-25 Is it I, Lord? (v. 22) Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion sets Matthew’s text of the passion story to dramatic music. When the soloist singing Jesus’s words announces to the disciples that one of them will