December 14, 2022 ~ Devotions: "The Light of the World"

 And so, I continue. . . . .

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Psalms 26:7 KJV

Luke 2:29-32 ~ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  KJV

The Bible reveals that Simeon was a righteous man. He was promised by God that he would not die before he had seen with his own eyes the promised Hope of Israel, the appointed Messiah Who would save His people from their sin. Simeon had been given a promise from God that he would not die until he had seen the One for whom all Israel was waiting for, the Seed of the woman, the Messiah of Israel, the Servant of God, the Saviour of the whole world. (26 "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.") Jesus was probably around 40 or 41 days old when his parents brought Him to fulfill this promise.  According to the law, His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:) in a specific time after giving birth to a male child, so this gives us an idea of Jesus age. 

Simeon lived in Jerusalem amidst the rebellious apostasy and gross unbelief that had developed in the nation of Israel for many generations. But Simeon had his promise from God, and he continued day by day, looking for the Promised Hope of Israel. He was comforted knowing that he would not die before he had seen the Saviour.  The Spirit of God was on this man of God; the one God had chosen to prophesy of the arrival of the Light of the world - He was to prophecy that this child would be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and would be the glory of God's people, Israel. 

And now the time is here, and Simon's prayer was one of heartfelt gratitude. He had been allowed to live until he saw the Lord's Messiah. And now here in his arms was the One for Whom Israel had waited for so long. Can't you imagine that scene, when he looked down at Him, he could hardly believe that he was holding the Son of God. God had kept His promise.  When Simeon prayed, he expressed his readiness to depart, as the Lord would have.  His life mission of preparing men for Jesus coming was over. He was no longer needed, for now, he had seen in this little baby, God's Salvation, a salvation which was not only for Israel but was for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike may be in mind here. 

Psalms 98:2 "The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen".  Jesus was to be the Light for revealing God to the Gentiles and was to be the glory of His people Israel. His glorious light would come to both. And through Him the Shekinah would come to Israel. "Isaiah 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."  The Shekinah Glory is a visible manifestation of God in the natural world. He will always dwell as our God in Heaven, but He will one day be seen as our God here in earth through His Son. No one will be able to deny Him, and all will fall to their knees and confess that He is GOD! God fulfilled his promise to Simeon, his task is done, and he seeks his release. ‘For mine eyes have seen.' He too is an eyewitness to what Christ is. ‘Your salvation.' In other words, ‘the Saviour Whom You have sent.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.       2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Folks this is not a hope so Saviour; Jesus is real, He was born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life, He did die on the cross for our sins, He was buried and rose in three days, He did ascend into Heaven and is even now preparing us a home with Him. Again, these are not dreams or hope so's. These are true Words spoken directly from the Word of God and Simeon revealed his one-on-one proof that the Savior had ARRIVED. You can deny Him, it won't change a thing except your one-way road to hell will be your final home. God gave HIS BEST so that we could be with Him forever and never have to face hell, sin, the devil, evil, sickness, death!  IT IS FINISHED! Do you know Him as your personal Saviour? Would you like to know Him? Won't you make a decision to go to Heaven and be with Him forever. The alternative is an eternity in Hell. That special place made for satan and his demons. It never was made for God's people. Call on Him today. 

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 The Light of the World is Jesus

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus! 

Come to the light, 'tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

If you don't know Him, come to Him today! 

Tom & Linda Milam

Missionaries to America 

and around the world

May we be faithful to be your 

Philippians 2:16 Missionaries.

 Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

 Lord, help us to be worthy of your sacrifice, securing our souls with the Light of your life and sacrifice.  May Your light shine in and through us as our reasonable service to You. Save the lost, encourage the saints please.  And help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You, giving YOU all our best with an open loving heart for the ministry and people. Help us Lord, to be wise in our home life and all that is going on with that. Thank you in advance, Lord, for working out our situation for a home in FL. Thank you to all who are praying for us.  I pray for those who have given of their finances, and that You will continue to supply. We know You are our Great Provider, and we can't thank you enough. We thank You Lord for Your wonderful mercy in Tom's eyes and ask that You heal him completely or at least allow the medication to work. Lord I also bring my eyes before you. Thank You for Dr. Gallogly, and Dr. Leitenbauer who found the problem I am experiencing in my "good eye". We ask Lord, that you would heal our dear friends and family. Bless our daughters, Nina, Jennifer, and Lita their husbands, children, grandchildren; especially with Lita's health we ask for Your healing touch in every area of her life. We love You Lord and thank You for first loving us. Amen.