“25 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 on him.26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.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 may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2.25-32
God revealed it through the Holy Spirit, who confirmed it to His servant, fulfilling ancient prophecy. Simeon was a man of God, so it makes sense that God would reveal the coming of the Messiah to him. At some point in the past, the Holy Spirit spoke to Simeon, telling him that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s anointed. This is significant. How many people did God reveal this to? Not many! Simeon wasn’t just in the right place at the right time; God orchestrated this encounter and fulfilled the word spoken to him. God acted with purpose.
When the time came to meet the Christ child, God divinely and supernaturally spoke to Simeon, telling him to go to the temple. So, “moved by the Spirit,” he went to the temple courts.
Side note: Have you ever been “moved by the Spirit”? Probably many times. Sometimes, I am moved by the Spirit and don’t realize it’s the Spirit until afterward. For example, ten years ago, I had my heart set on leading LLFC—Laity Lodge Family Camp. I just knew that was my next assignment—until it wasn’t! One day, I woke up and was graciously relieved of that role. I was crushed. But if I had been more mindful, I would have seen that God was already stirring me in supernatural ways, leading me to my next assignment and releasing me from the current one. Was it fun? No. Was it painful? Yes. But did God have a plan? He led me to join Him in two new kingdom masterpieces—movements of the Spirit: Revive and Truett Wesley House.
Simeon was moved by the Lord to go to the temple, meet the Christ child, confirm His identity, and recognize that God was doing something new and exciting. See Simeon’s response to God in verses 29–32 after meeting Jesus and after God fulfilled His promise that Simeon would not die until he met the Messiah.
Now, God may not do something as momentous in your life as He did for Simeon, but I can promise that He will speak to you, move in your heart, and guide you along paths of righteousness if you follow and obey. God is actively accomplishing His purposes and revealing His plans to humanity. His divine action and agency (to quote Dr. Billy Abraham’s book of the same title) are alive and well.
Are you waiting for God to speak to you or reveal His plans? Lean into Jesus. Trust in His Word. Read His Word! Seek His Spirit. Be a part of God’s activity in this world and wait to see how He guides you and reveals His promises to you today.
“O Lord God, You are good. Thank You for guiding me, even when I was not searching, not seeking, or not aware of Your guidance. Thank You for leading Your servant along paths of righteousness. Even in the battles of life, You are faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, reveal Your promises to me so that I might be a part of Your plan to redeem humanity. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.