What can we learn from a quiet, faithful man like Simeon in Luke 2? Though not a famous preacher, scholar, evangelist, or theologian, Simeon was known for his devotion and trust in God’s promises. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef explores Simeon’s remarkable faith in God’s promise to save His people.
This devotional is adapted from MY Journal, Leading The Way’s monthly devotional magazine. Sign up now for a free six-month subscription to MY Journal—Dr. Youssef’s gift to you.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, But Why?: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
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As you celebrate Christ’s first coming at Christmas, infuse your traditions with new ways to remember His promise of redemption—and prepare for His ultimate return.
In Preparing for the King, a vibrant 20-page Advent booklet featuring a special 4-part devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef emphasizes God’s faithfulness to send a Savior and the striking Scriptural comparisons between Christ’s first and second coming. Reflect on eye-opening Scriptures that point to Jesus as the one and only Savior foreshadowed for thousands of years—and be encouraged to prepare for the King not just at Christmas, but in your everyday life.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] the Way.
[00:00:08] Holy Expectations by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] In Luke 2, we read about a man from Jerusalem named Simeon.
[00:00:18] He was not a famous preacher, scholar, evangelist, or theologian, but he was faithful and devout.
[00:00:24] He watched and waited for the Messiah, of course, but God had also given this humble no-name
[00:00:31] a personal promise.
[00:00:33] He would not die before seeing the Lord's anointed one.
[00:00:37] After seeing baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon praised God, saying, Sovereign Lord, as You
[00:00:43] have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace.
[00:00:48] Now dismiss your servant, the simple prayer of trust in God, has impacted millions of
[00:00:54] moments throughout history.
[00:00:56] It's easy to think there was something special about Simeon, but the truth is he was simply
[00:01:01] a man who exercised his faith, and each of us has the opportunity to believe just as Simeon
[00:01:07] did.
[00:01:08] In fact, many of the great revivals in history were ignited by nameless but faithful people.
[00:01:14] Simeon's story is powerful because he wasn't disappointed.
[00:01:18] He did not set unrealistic expectations and powers that couldn't fulfill his deepest longings.
[00:01:24] He didn't set his hope in Rome or even Jerusalem.
[00:01:27] He didn't place his hope in politicians or the economy.
[00:01:31] He didn't even set his hope in his own righteousness and devotion to God.
[00:01:36] His expectations were realistic because they were rooted in the only one who never fails to
[00:01:43] keep his promises, the Lord Almighty.
[00:01:47] God has given you some precious promises too, promises that you can watch and wait for with
[00:01:53] faithful anticipation.
[00:01:55] There are general promises that believers can claim, such as,
[00:01:58] I will come back and take you to be with me.
[00:02:01] And promises attached to specific conditions, such as,
[00:02:06] Ask and it will be given to you.
[00:02:08] Seek and you will find.
[00:02:09] Knock and the door will be opened to you.
[00:02:12] And there are personal promises.
[00:02:15] With these, we must be sure we are listening to God with all our heart and mind, lest we deceive
[00:02:22] ourselves and confuse our voice with God's.
[00:02:26] Simeon trusted in the highest promise of God that he would save, and he held on to it.
[00:02:32] So when God met both the personal promise that Simeon would see God's salvation and the general
[00:02:38] promise of Christ's coming, Simeon was able to say,
[00:02:42] Now I can be released from sentinel duty.
[00:02:45] I can depart in peace.
[00:02:47] When your expectations rest on the promises of God in his word, you will never be disappointed.
[00:02:55] Let's pray together.
[00:02:57] Father, thank you for sending your son that first Christmas.
[00:03:01] Thank you for the example of Simeon who trusted in your promises,
[00:03:05] looked for your Messiah, and was rewarded with your peace.
[00:03:09] May we, too, have such faith.
[00:03:12] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:03:14] Amen.
[00:03:16] If today's devotional encouraged you, we'd love to hear about it.
[00:03:20] Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.
[00:03:24] My devotional is a ministry of Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.
[00:03:29] To learn more, visit ltw.org today.