Are You Listening?

When Jesus’ parents brought him to the Temple after His birth, there was a man present named Simeon who was led to the Temple that day by the Holy Ghost. God had promised Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.


The Bible doesn’t say whether Simeon was old or young when the Lord told him this. It doesn’t say whether Simeon had to wait months or years until the promise was fulfilled. It does say that he had been waiting, and once he held Jesus in his arms he exclaimed that he could die in peace. (Luke 2:29) From reading this, I believe some significant time had passed since God first gave the word to Simeon.

What leapt out at me in this account, however, is that Simeon was led by the Holy Ghost to the Temple that day. Simeon’s spiritual ears were open to the Lord to hear His instructions even to the very details as to where he should go.

If Simeon had not been in tune with God’s voice, he would have missed out on receiving his promise that day!

Many of us are waiting to receive a promise from the Lord. We know we heard from God, and we are expecting the manifestation at any moment.

As we wait, we should stay in a spirit of prayer – conversations with God – so that we can hear any instructions that He may have for us. And when we hear those instructions, we should obey!

I can honestly say there have been several times where I know I felt a prompting in my spirit to do or say something, but I ignored the call. Who’s to say what opportunities, blessings, or miracles I missed out on just because I chose to disregard the tug of the Holy Spirit!

So as you continue to stand in faith believing that God is going to fulfill His Word, keep your ear cocked for God’s voice. He may send some instructions your way that are key to the fulfillment of the promise. And when you hear Him, make sure you obey!

Verse of the Day: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me… John 10:27