The Doorpost: Trusting in God, departing in peace like Simeon did

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

The speaker of these words, Simeon, was a “righteous and devout man” who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. The Holy Spirit led him to the Temple on the day that Joseph and Mary presented Jesus there “according to the custom of the Law” (Luke 2:22-28).

When Simeon saw the child, he knew, through the Spirit, who the baby was. And he realized what this meant. Not only did it mean that the Messiah had arrived, but it also meant that he, Simeon, could “depart in peace.”

The Messiah’s arrival was Simeon’s time to depart.

We don’t know God’s timing. Even when we know what’s going to happen, we can’t be entirely sure when it will happen.

But we must trust that His timing will be perfect, even if it means it will be our time of departure.

Whatever He does, in His perfect timing, will be a “light for revelation” and “glory.”

Even when it means our departure. In peace.