Praying with Our Eyes Open
Dear Church,
The Advent season is here. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means ‘coming.’ Therefore, the season of Advent is about the coming of Jesus Christ, first as the Saviour of the world, and second as the Judge of the world. I pray that despite all the worries about the current variant called Omicron, you will find the space and time to reflect upon the coming of Jesus Christ.
In the Bible, there are stories of people who sincerely waited for the coming of the Messiah. Among them, the story of a man named Simeon comes to mind right away.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. (Luke 2:25)
Notice the description that Simeon ‘was waiting for the consolation of Israel.’ It refers to the promised Messiah who would come and comfort his people. We remember the voice of the prophet Isaiah. ‘Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.’ (Isaiah 40:1). Yes, Simeon was waiting for God's promise of the Messiah. Simeon held on to the words of the Holy Spirit who had told him, ‘before you die, you will surely see the Messiah with your own eyes.’ So, Simeon prayed and waited in the temple until one day he had the honor of meeting the baby Jesus, face to face.
He shouted,
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)
I want all of us to understand the significance of this passage. Simeon’s spiritual eyes opened because he earnestly prayed and waited for the coming of the Messiah! When we pray and wait for God's will, God will allow us to see things we have never seen before. When we come to God in earnest prayer, He will help us notice some things we would not otherwise notice.
Let us be like Simeon and pray that we will see what the people of the world cannot see so that we can remain as God’s people, unshaken and unmoved by the uncertainties of life, and do what God has called us to do. Let us pray with our eyes open.
May the LORD bless you,
Pastor Minho Song
