Derek Smith

Lead Pastor 

Luke 2:25-32

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

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.”

Tucked away in the gospel of Luke at the conclusion of the birth account of Christ is this interesting account of a man named Simeon. Simeon was a devout Jewish man who had been looking expectantly for the coming of the Messiah all of his life, and the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. Well, one normal day Simeon felt a little nudge from the Spirit to visit the Temple. While he was there, in walks a normal Jewish couple with an 8 day old baby boy to be dedicated to the Lord. Nothing earth shattering. No fanfare. No pomp and circumstance. No angels or flashing lights. Just a normal everyday common event. But what looked like nothing special to everyone else was a God moment for Simeon, because right then and there he realized by the Spirit that this was the promised Christ. 

The reason many people miss God is simply because they aren’t looking for him with eyes of faith. It is the people who are expectantly anticipating God to show up in their day that truly experience Him. Today, although many routine things may happen like taking the kids to school, going to work, stopping by the store on the way home, cooking supper, and so on and so forth, the Lord may be trying to get your attention. There might be a neighbor who needs to be ministered to, a cashier at the store that needs a word of encouragement, a co-worker who needs prayer, or maybe even your spouse or one of your children that needs some extra love and attention. Don’t miss Jesus in the routine things. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and instruction. The Lord has placed us right where we are to be a witness for Him. The folks who experience revival are the ones looking expectantly for Jesus in the routine things of life. How about you? Are you looking for Jesus?