Luke 2 talks to us of a man called Simeon, who looked for the Consolation of Israel as a cause that gave him long life and rich communion with the Holy Spirit. We can see throughout history that in many generations many heretics and heresies have shaped the orthodoxy, in that people have sought out the true amongst the craziness. We are already in one of those seasons now.
These times require radical commitments, and one such man had such a commitment that the Scripture speaks of him;
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
(The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Lk 2:25–27.
There are so many elements here in this verse. Short but concise, and describes a lifestyle, a cause and a insight way beyond the insight of the clerical class of the day.
He was Devout
Definition of being devout…
devout
/dɪˈvaʊt/
adjective
- having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment.”she was a devout Catholic”
This seems to be a lifestyle that has been forgotten. It seems that devout comes from the object of our devotion, much what we wait for is self fulfillment and personal objectives to be reached. Yet the real devotion we must have must be what is primarily on God’s heart. In this case was the “Consolation of Israel”. When we examine what this might mean, is indicative of the state the nation came into, no longer its own governing state, rather a vassal of many empires that came. The first being Persian, the second being Greek, and the last being Roman. In each case we have certain positive characteristics of each empire. Yet the spiritual health of Israel was way below the times of David and Solomon, the godly kings and priests. Now it seems they were content with a status quo of spiritual life. Simeon knew by the way the Holy Spirit would speak there was a level of life that was not the one they were living then.
Living for God’s cause means the Holy Spirit moved upon Simeon as He will move on us also. Once we devote our lives to the divine seasons and the things that are on God’s heart we will see much more of the Holy Spirit on the scene. The “Consolation of Israel” is the coming of the Messiah and His forerunner, John the Baptist. And for this the Holy Spirit moved on different ones to bring this to being. The most marked manifestation of this was prophetic declaration, that once they declared out what God was put in their heart a mighty presence of God through the Spirit was noticeable. I believe that what we speak has a bearing on our spiritual life. Much what is spread abroad tells of war, civil war, financial collapse, disease and warning of disease. What contrasts and we must remember that when a Consolation comes from God is when disaster is abroad whether it be expectation or actual disaster, and God comes to His people to bring a new restoration. As people of God we must decide, seek for the Consolation God is bringing and the manner He is bringing it. Our prophetic declarations are an indication of that.
The mistake we can make is accept that societal changes come through political processes, they don’t, they come through God restoring God’s people to the places they must be to effect the societal change from a spiritual standpoint.
The Consolation God brings is a revelation by the Holy Spirit Himself. There is no other source. He comes to speak into being prophetic scripture from centuries before. It must sustain us, it must enthuse us. Whilst the world has its own narrative, the Spirit will come with a eternal narrative to sustain us, cause us to turn our eyes, shut our ears to the things the world proclaims.
It is a guarantee that we will touch like Simeon the substance of our promise; Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Heb 11.
When we see Simeon take up the babe in his arms….He is touching the substance of his prayers, his waiting. He is led into the Temple. The Spirit moves Him to touch Jesus the Messiah, Son of the Most High, the Son of David. The Spirit always moves us toward Jesus, in word, in deed. He always fulfill us in our seeking out God’s cause. He is in Spirit when He meets Jesus, recognizes Him in whatever form He comes. As we should. How many times He has come to us we have not recognized?
“Mine eyes have seen your salvation” this is Simeon speaking of his own revelation from the Spirit. He has seen the day when all men will be sons via Him who is the Son.
The nearer you come to the Son the more you experience the Spirit. This is why birthing a New Advent is about being devout concerning God’s person and purpose.
Maranatha!!!!
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