There’s a story in the Bible of a man named Simeon who waited in faith for the promise from God to see the Messiah before he died.
The scriptures don’t tell us much about Simeon’s journey of faith before this moment in the temple. But what we do know is he was a “righteous and devout man [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law]” (Luke 2:25, Amplified). In other words, Simeon was a man of faith.
He lived in such a way that his life was regulated by his convictions and faith in God. To have such a testimony, we understand that even if he strayed in his faith on occasion, he always got back on the path. Simeon never took his eyes off the prize. He understood, “It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going” (2 Corinthians 5:7, Message).
But I want you to see how his faith strengthened another’s.
In the temple that day, when what he was believing for came to pass, the Holy Spirit anointed Simeon to prophesy. He blessed Mary, the mother of Jesus, and prepared her for things to come.
“Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against. And a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed” (Luke 2:34-35, Amplified).
The words of Simeon most likely rang in Mary’s ears her entire life as she watched Jesus grow and fulfill the purpose of His life. And I’m sure his words helped her stay in faith when she saw her son beaten and crucified, because if Mary had walked only by the appearance of things, the brokenness of her own heart, and not in faith, she might have interfered with God’s plan of salvation. What mother wouldn’t have? Would we have blamed her? But instead, Mary purposed to be a woman of faith.
His walk of faith encouraged hers.
And I believe this is what God desires–for each of us to encourage the walk of another. I occasionally meet with a group of ladies for prayer. At one such meeting, I asked them to lift up my ministry, specifically for wisdom to know God’s direction and clear purpose for what I am called to do. After we prayed, one of the ladies said to me, “Daphne, as I prayed for you, I saw a set of footprints in front of you. They belong to God and all He wants you to do is walk in them.”
I rejoiced at this word because it was exactly as I had always seen my journey in ministry–one step after another–nothing more. I believe this is what Paul meant when he said, “Walk by faith and not by sight.” In other words, simply focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t spend time thinking about how long you’ve waited or wonder how much longer it will be until you reach the target.
Remember, our walk of faith doesn’t mean we’ve “…already attained, or are already perfected;…but [we] press on, that [we] may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of [us]” (Philippians 3:12). These are the words of the Apostle Paul, describing his own journey of faith–words that now encourage our walk. I hope it’ll remain a reminder and declaration of faith for us also:
“I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back” (Philippians 3:13-14, Message).
