Listening for the Promise
Sola Publishing – Weekly Devotions 
First Sunday of Christmas  – December 29, 2024
SOWeR Site — Weekly Devotional © Sola Publishing: www.solapublishing.com, 2024, written by Peggy Hoppes. Scripture taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(permission granted to active subscribers to reproduce this sheet for local congregational use)

“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, 
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” 
- Psalm 111:1 -
Praise the Lord!
Simeon and Anna both recognized that Jesus was the one for whom they were waiting. They knew He was the Messiah and they praised God for His faithfulness. Simeon boldly proclaimed what Jesus came to do, that He would be the salvation of Israel and a light to the Gentiles. This was an amazing thing to say. Simeon knew by the power of the Holy Spirit that the boy Jesus would die, and that his death would pierce the very soul of His mother. Those are powerful words. Anna came upon the scene as Simeon told Mary and Joseph about their son’s future and she began praising God loudly and telling everyone about Jesus. “He’s the one we’ve been waiting for! He’s the promised King!” Simeon quietly shared the story of Jesus, but Anna loudly proclaimed the Good News.
Simeon and Anna committed their lives to the promises of God. They waited patiently to see the God’s faithfulness. Their sacrifice was not blood and death, but their whole lives of hope and faith. When they received the fulfillment of God’s promise, they praised God with thanksgiving. 
Psalm 111 was a hymn for Passover concerning the Lamb that teaches us to give thanks and praise to God, like Simeon and Anna. Their lives of humble patience and joy when they see Jesus, help us focus on the God’s gracious goodness. His works are great, they are meant to be pondered and marveled at. He is righteous and faithful. He has provided for His people, and He remembers His covenant. His works are truth and justice. He is our Redeemer, His redemption was sent to us through the baby born in the manger, who lived and died for our sake. He ordained His covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome. We are called to live like Simeon and Anna, in hopeful expectation as we sing thankful praise because God is faithful to all His promises.