Living with Expectancy

As we look at those involved in the story surrounding the birth of Jesus, there are several life principles we can take away and use for our lives.

Take the story of Simeon.

Simeon was a just and devout man who was waiting expectantly for the Messiah. But it wasn’t a false hope that Simeon held onto, but one rooted and grounded in God’s word and promise.

Simeon possessed the Spirit of Expectancy.

The first thing we see is that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was waiting because “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25b NKJV)

Next he was waiting because the Holy Spirit had revealed to him a promise.

“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:26 NKJV)

And finally he was waiting with expectancy because the Holy Spirit had directed him.

“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” (Luke 2:27a NKJV)

Living with Expectancy is all about being filled with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to speak and direct us through time in prayer and being in God’s word.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Roman 8:26-27 NKJV)

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NKJV)

Lord I pray that You fill and guide us by Your Holy Spirit. Help us to live with a spirit of expectancy, expecting You to do great, wonderful, and marvelous things. Amen