The Promise Keeper

In this passage we are introduced to two secondary characters in the Christmas story who unlock a great truth about our God.

The first is Simeon. We are not told Simeon’s age, but many assume he is an older man, the Bible tells us he was a righteous and devout man who spent his days waiting and praying for the restoration of Israel. Simeon was given a revelation by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah- pretty cool, right?

Our second person is Anna. She was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. Anna was well off in years- at least 84. Some translations read that she was a widow until 84 or a widow for 84 years. We are also told that she never left the temple- that is not necessarily literal like she lived at the temple, but that she spent the majority of her time there and was always in prayer and fasting- a righteous saint.

Both of these people got to interact with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus when they can to present him at the temple. Both of them had the same reaction to meeting and seeing this baby- thanksgiving, blessing, and praise. Why? Because both of them saw a promise of God fulfilled in their eyes that day.

Now, let’s unpack these verses for a moment, because while both Anna and Simeon saw a fulfilled promise of God that day, the nature of those promises were quite different. For Simeon the promise of God was a spoken, personal promise; for Anna it was a written, inclusive promise. Let’s talk about the difference.

Scripture tells us that Simeon was given a revelation from the Holy Spirit. How was this promise revealed by the Holy Spirit? We do not know, we are not told how Simeon recieved the revelation, but we are assured it happened- that God gave a personal promise to Simeon. God is in the promise making business, and many times these promises are given to us individually. Many of you have heard them- You will be healed the voice of the Spirit whispers; I am going to protect your child- God says; They will come to know me, just pray- you have heard. These promises and real and valid and sealed by the voice of God.

We do not know how long Simeon had waited to have his promise fulfilled, but it is obvious from his response that his heart was overwhelmed by the fulfilment that day.

Then there is Anna, Anna was someone who was devoted to her faith. No doubt that she had heard the promises of the coming Messiah for her entire life. As she was in and out of the temple everyday she probably knew the Scriptures by heart, and she had devoted her life to this coming Messiah. You see, many promises of God are overarching promises that are good for all those who believe- they are not personal to you, but they are just as powerful. They are promises like

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

These promises are for all those who are followers of Jesus Christ, there are no specific names attached to them, they are ours to claim- each and every one of us. That is why Anna rejoiced that day, because she knew the promises in Isiah that this Messiah would come, and it was being realized in her eyes in that moment. I wonder, do we take the promises of God that serious?

There is a story of a young man who had a dream to go to America. He scrimped and saved, and did everything in his power to save enough money to buy a ticket on a boat bound for America. The day came when he had precisely the amount of money needed, and he went immediately and purchased that ticket. The ship was to leave the next day, so with great excitement, and with all of his possessions wrapped neatly in a blanket he boarded the ship, and settled down for his great journey. After the first couple of days, the young man had exhausted the meager supply of food that he had been able to scrimp and save in his blanket, and he began to get hungry. He knew that if he could only survive for a few days more, he would enjoy all the riches that America promised.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

It was that evening that a steward found him preparing to sleep in a secluded corner on deck. The steward confronted him, accusing him of being a stowaway. Protesting his innocence, the young man produced his ticket. The steward apologized, but then asked "but why are you sleeping here on deck, when you have quarters below"? When the young man replied that he had only enough money for the passage but no room, the steward explained that the room was included in the price of the ticket. As the steward led the astonished young man to his room, they passed the large dining room where a sumptuous meal was being laid out. The young man peeked in and saw that the room was filling with people, and the steward told the young man that he could be seated for dinner in about fifteen minutes, as that was included also. His eyes were filled with tears.

Many of us are like the young man in the story, you have put your faith in Jesus and you know that you place in heaven is reserved- but there is so much more for you than that! This Bible is layered with promises that are for you, and they too have been purchased for you by Jesus. The Christmas story reminds us that God keeps his promises- EVERY. SINGLE. PROMISE.

The challenge for us this that while the promises of God are guaranteed, they are rarely immediate. Consider the greatest of all of God’s promises- the promise of eternal life- which takes a lifetime to realized. I think of Nina Mae Bibble who just passed away a few weeks ago- 99 years old. She had to wait decade to see the promises of God fulfilled. This is the case for many promises. It is not often that God heals the moment that he says “you will be healed.” Many times we need to walk it out. Sometimes the fulfillment of the promise of healing is a successful surgery and rehab, and sometimes it is eternal healing in death. When God promises to meet your needs it is rarely that you get a $10,000 check in the mail- most times it is done in small blessings, some that may even go unnoticed until later.

That is why faith is so important in this journey. If everything was instant then there would be no need for faith.

There are 2 other things to note about Anna and Simeon when it comes to the realization of the promise they waited on. Their attitudes before and after.

Notice the Bible says that Simeon was righteous and just, remember that Anna was a woman described by her attendance at the temple, her prayer, and her fasting. While they were waiting they remained faithful to the Lord and allowed him to respond. You know, it can be hard to wait on the Lord.

It reminds me of a story about a man was visiting a local department store with his wife, and they had just purchased a piece of luggage and a cooler. As Ed browsed in the shoe depart-ment waiting for his wife to finish the rest of her shopping, a clerk asked if he could be of assistance.

“No, thank you," Ed replied. “I’m just wait-ing for my wife."

At that point, a man behind him said, "I’m waiting for my wife, too, but I never thought to bring lunch and an overnight bag."

Waiting on God can sometimes take more than a lunch and and overnight bag, but I promise it is worth it. It can be so hard though to not take things into your own hands. We are all guilty at points, aren’t we? You pray about something and you are reminded or given a promise from God, and the moment you say amen you go off to do it on your own anyway. Or worse yet, you abandon the promise all together.

Second, notice their response after the promise is fulfilled- they are filled with thanksgiving and praise to God. God is their main focus- how about you? So many times the situations can get our attention- in a way they become our God. This is not the case with Simeon and Anna- they show us that when your focus is on God in the wait, then God will be your focus in the outcome.

Finally, remember that some promises are conditional and they require your obedience. For example, consider “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The promise is that the Devil will flee from you, but there are 2 things you must do- humble yourself and resist him. In oder to claim the promise you must engage in the behavior.