The Bible speaks of many people throughout its pages. Some are nameless, while it briefly names others. One, named Simeon, spent his time seeking and hearing from God.
That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God. Luke 2:27-28
The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple, not just any old day, but “that day.” The verse refers to the day when Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus for His circumcision.
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Luke 2:21
The law required a purification offering after the birth of a child, so his parents took Him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. They also dedicated Him to God.
The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:23-24
In the scripture, the Lord introduced us to this man named Simeon. Described as a righteous and devout man, he eagerly waited for the arrival of the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Luke 2:25-26
God Revealed the Savior to Simeon
After hearing from God, Simeon attentively waited at the Temple for Jesus to show up. He immediately recognized them, took the child in his arms, and praised God, saying,
- “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
- I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.
- He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Luke 2:29-32
The Bible doesn’t mention his age, but the text indicates him as an elderly man with much wisdom. He amazed Mary and Joseph with what he said about Jesus and also his blessing them.
- Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother,
- “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise.
- He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.
- As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
- And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:34-35
Mary began this journey some nine months prior. First, Gabriel told her that God had chosen her to give birth to Jesus. Towards the end of her pregnancy, she traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem.
In Bethlehem, she gave birth to Jesus in a stable, probably with her only help coming from Joseph. All of a sudden, shepherds showed up after angels announced the birth of the Savior.
Now, eight days later, she met a man who, after hearing from God, spoke about the future of Jesus. And many believe all of this happened well before her twentieth birthday. An earlier verse says,
Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19
How to Hear from God
We don’t know what other things the Lord may have revealed to her as she raised Jesus. I’m sure when hearing what God said through others, she continually kept those things in her heart.
We, too, must open our ears to what God might say to us. In fact, hearing from God is something that everyone, even non-Christians, would like to experience.
As Christians, we don’t need God to prove Himself by speaking to us. We want to hear what He says to us so we don’t stray from His will for our lives.
Romans says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes from the Word of God. God speaks to us primarily through His Word and will never tell us anything contrary to His Word.
Other times, He will prompt our minds by giving us thoughts. Sometimes, however, when hearing those thoughts, we might want confirmation from God.
Jesus spoke to His disciples about the importance of not only listening but hearing the voice of God. We will respond to God upon hearing Him call us like sheep respond to the shepherd.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3
In this lesson, the key to what Jesus taught revolves around knowing God’s voice. Every day, we are hearing voices pulling us in different directions. Therefore, we must know the voice of God.
Jesus said that no matter how many voices the sheep hear, they will only follow the voice they know. As he walks ahead of them, they follow only him.
They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. John 10:5
Are You Hearing the Voice of God?
So turn your hearing up because God constantly speaks to us. He constantly gives us His direction.
No one can say that God doesn’t speak to them. Why? Because it’s never God who stops speaking, but it’s us and our lack of hearing.
Let’s make one more comment about Mary. With everything she heard along with her experiences, she kept them in her heart and thought about them.
In other words, she kept a mental diary. I’m sure she had times when it seemed like she wasn’t hearing anything from God. But the things in her heart kept her faith from wavering.
It doesn’t matter what you call it: a mental diary or one on paper. A journal or notes in the margin of your Bible. It doesn’t hurt to hear from God all over again!
Lord, help us always recognize when we are hearing your voice, God, instead of another. Also, bring back to our remembrance of the deeds you’ve done when our faith needs strengthening.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives
Featured Image by Cindy Lever from Pixabay
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