A devotional written by SEPE graduate and professor, Edwin Zelaya, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ that cannot be shaken.
It is incredible how society, day after day, sinks deeper into despair and hopelessness. One need only look around to sense an atmosphere charged with fear, anguish, and disappointment.
Mothers and children are being forced to pursue the well-known “American dream” or “European dream,” leaving behind their country, their loved ones, and, in many cases, breaking the laws of other nations–putting their lives at risk because they consider that to be their only recourse.
Young people are being swept away by the waves of violence, corruption, and constant threats. Entire families suffer because of poor leadership in many of our Latin American countries.
However, as believers and those who know the Word of God, we should not be surprised by this reality, for we know that it is the result of not allowing God to rule our lives and of continually distancing ourselves from the only source of true hope: our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the only sure hope, the hope that does not put us to shame, the hope that reminds us of passages such as Psalm 62:5-7:
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
I would like to meditate briefly on the account of Simeon’s Song found in Luke 2:29-32.
In the Bible, we find numerous songs, hymns, thanksgivings, and supplications that have been preserved in the Scriptures. Luke records several of them: the Magnificat, the Benedictus, the Gloria in Excelsis, among others.
There is one that always captivates my heart because of how clearly it reflects that God faithfully keeps his promises: the song of Simeon.
29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
The context of this passage is the presentation of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem, forty days after his birth, as required by Mosaic Law. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the “consolation of Israel” (the Messiah). The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah.
Simeon responds to God’s faithfulness with praise and gratitude. We see a man rewarded for trusting fully in what God had promised. And what stands out so powerfully in this passage is precisely the phrase: “According to Your word.” Here we see a glorious ending for those who trusted and rested in God’s faithful promises. And this is exactly what awaits all who trust in Christ. We have the certainty of the fulfillment of each one of His promises.
The believer’s hope is an unshakeable hope. It does not change according to circumstances nor does it depend on human faithfulness; it remains faithful because the character of the One who promised is absolutely faithful.
Simeon rejoiced deeply as he declared, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” What a glorious experience it must have been for him! To have God Incarnate before his eyes–to see God made man, the Hope of the World in his presence, the True Light, the Water of Life, the Great I Am.
This song is an expression of gratitude and joy for the fulfillment of God’s promises, both for Simeon and for the people of God. It is also a powerful reminder of our need to proclaim the glorious Gospel, the center of which is Jesus Christ, the only Hope of Glory. This passage challenges us to know the truth with precision so that we can guide others to the only inexhaustible source of hope. Furthermore, it compels us to pray for those who live without hope and for those who are committed to proclaiming this message through the faithful teaching of His Word. Brothers, there is no hope like ours.
Therefore, rejoice!
Your hope, because of Christ, is a truly unshakeable hope.
