Title: When you have faith, you can wait
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LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> Today, we would like to share grace through the text about what waiting is through the two prophets ‘Simeon’ and ‘Anna’ and what is God’s message of hope through waiting.
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LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px">1. Faith creates hope.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> Simeon and Anna were being oppressed by the Romans, so they lost hope and were living in an era in which there was no trace of God's presence in a desperate situation.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> So Simeon and Anna were forced to spend years of fasting and mourning in the temple. But these two have hope. Hope gives me courage to overcome when fear comes over because I don't know what will happen tomorrow, gives me strength not to give up on reality, and reminds me that I'm not alone and I can get up again. So hope becomes the ability to overcome the reality of suffering and sadness.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> So, keep your eyes on God. Hope lies in God's faithfulness.
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LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px">2. Waiting goes with preparation.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> Many people knew that the Messiah would come and thought they would take care of it when he came. However, they had a passive attitude that they would meet when the Messiah came. :25, :37) Only Simeon and Anna recognized, and people's attitudes toward life without hope are bound to be disturbed.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> However, just as we were able to live reverently and truthfully because we lived a life of preparing for Simeon and Anna the Messiah, so should our lives today.
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LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px">3. If there is an encounter, live the life of a witness.
LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> When Simeon met the baby Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit, he recognized that this baby was the Messiah. And holding the baby Jesus in his arms, he said to God, “What you have prepared before all nations, and a light to light the Gentiles” (:31 -32) Anna also looks at the baby Jesus and gives thanks.(:38) Then, she testifies about Jesus Christ to all the people in Jerusalem who want to be redeemed by God.
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LIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'roll body'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"> Simeon and Anna were able to live without giving up hope until the end because of Jesus Christ alone. The great grace of God, which turns our times of despair and pain into times of God's hope, will take charge of Christmas. This is coming to us in the midst of the season of Advent. Therefore, put aside despair and discouragement. Hold the hand of the Lord who gives hope and stand up again. Today, the times of faith that change our lives into hope are your time with me. I bless you in the name of the Lord.
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