SHALOM FOR SIMEON
Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peaceG1515.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.
Luke 2:29-32
Isaiah 25:9 (ESV) And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Simeon means “obedient, listening.” Because he was obedient to have his heart tuned to the Lord and knew God’s word, Simeon heard the Spirit in his heart assuring him he would live to see the Messiah. Somehow the Spirit prompted him to go to the temple that very day and hour that Jesus was being dedicated. There he saw baby Jesus in his parents’ arms and KNEW by the Spirit’s revelations this infant was the Son of God. He was filled with hope, peace, and comfort. Joy overwhelmed him as he took the Baby into his arms to bless him. Simeon had been promised he would see the Messiah before he died. Simeon believed the Lord was sovereign and kept His promises, but now he had seen the Lord’s Promised One with his own eyes. Simeon’s psalm is known as the “Nunc Dimittis” (Now You dismiss) from the first two words of the Latin translation. Now he could rest in peace, God could dismiss him from his service. He had been allowed to see the promised Hope, our freedom—the chain breaker, the One who delivers us from the prison of sin. He also acknowledged in his speech that Jesus was not for Israel alone. He was to make the message available to other nations, Gentiles included. Simeon referred to the Messiah as a light, and in the gospel of John, we saw that Jesus is The Light (John chapter 1). Jesus Himself said that He was The Light:
John 8:12 (BSB) Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 9:5 (NLT) But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.
Because Jesus brought light into the darkness of our world, we can live with the peace of God every day. When we follow the light that illumines the path God has for us, we can live more confidently, knowing that He guides us. How do we consistently follow that light? The answer is in Psalm 119:
Psalm 119:105 (NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:9-11 (AMP) How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]. With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
We walk in peace when we have a relationship with Jesus, one of obedience and commitment to what He has shown us in His word. Once we surrender our lives to the Lord, we need to conscientiously walk with Him each day, moment by moment. A healthy relationship requires constant, consistent, intimate communication. God communicates with us through His word, and we are to respond honestly to God in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (BLB) Pray unceasingly.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMPC) Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly].
This is how you pray continually—not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so that your life becomes one continuous and uninterrupted prayer. (Saint Basil the Great)
https://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/2013/07/10/st-basil-the-great-prayer-is-a-request-for-what-is-good
Is your peace within being disturbed? Satan has tried to disturb our peace and derail our writing as we have been writing about peace! We must always ask ourselves if we are maintaining the communication of our relationship with the Lord. When our peace is disrupted, do we remember to immediately refocus our eyes on Jesus, petition His help in prayer, and continue to live in His light and peace? Be intent and intentional in living at peace with God and at peace within yourself by keeping the line of communication open: studying and internalizing Scripture and persisting and persevering in prayer.
Father, we know the challenges we often face are the enemy of our souls trying to distract us from Your love, grace, mercy, and peace. Help us to focus in on Your truth and walk daily in Your peace.
Worship along with the Gaither Vocal Band as they sing “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDuHdoHNSA