Devotional - March 17, 2004

Simeon was a devout man who was a prayer warrior. God revealed to him that Israel's Messiah was being presented at the temple on a certain day, so he went to bless him. Now an old man, God promised him he would not die before he saw the One who would be the salvation of Israel. This was the day where God's promise to him became reality and he wouldn't miss it for the world.

Anna was also quite a character. A widow for probably more than sixty years, she spent all her time in the house of God. We know she too was a prayer warrior because she fasted daily. God revealed to her who Jesus was and she began to tell everyone what Simeon knew: Jesus, the Messiah has come!

It's interesting to note some things about prayer warriors. First, they spend time in God's Word and are told things that others are not. Secondly, they see God at work around them when most people don't. Thirdly, they inform those less-informed people what God is doing and why. They thank God for what he is doing and won't brag about what God has told them, but instead give thanks for the fact God has revealed his plan to them. And there is the fact that seeing an answer to prayer could take a long time.

Are you a prayer warrior? Has God revealed his plan to you. Are you seeing God work in ways most don't acknowledge. Are you shamed into silence by those who don't believe God would reveal his work to someone like you when he has not shown them?

May we take courage from Simeon and Anna. They were honored by God and they in turn honored Him by acting responsibly with the trust they had been given.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Nm. 24:1-25:18 Lk. 2:1-35 Ps. 59:1-17 Pr. 11:14 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society