“For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2:30–32, ESV
The prayer of a faithful man. Simeon had been waiting in the temple for years for the fulfillment of God’s promise to be revealed to him. He trusted in the promise and believed that God would not allow him to die until he had seen the promised Messiah. These words come as he holds the Christ Child in his hands and proclaims this promise. His faithful heart knew right away who this child in his arms was and what this meant for all of creation. We, too, have been given a promise by God and His Word rests in the hearts of the believer. As we open the Word and read, we hear God’s promises written out for each and everyone of us. Without fail, we know that Christ can fulfill them and the grace of our Lord will be poured out abundantly. I am sure that there were times over the years that Simeon doubted as the devil likes to sow those seeds in the hearts of God’s chosen, but God continued to buoy him up and our Lord does the same for each of us as we entrust all things to the promise of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.