I’m not a very patient person. I get crabby when waiting for a friend to arrive at dinner or a co-worker to show up for a meeting. And if I have to wait longer, such as for a response to an e-mail—a day, a couple of days, a week? I find myself checking my inbox incessantly, constantly thinking about when I’m going to get a response, and even wondering if I somehow offended the person I’m waiting for and now they’re not replying because they’re mad at me. Patience is absolutely not my strong suit.

I wonder how patient Simeon was. Luke tells us that Simeon was righteous and devout, but he doesn’t share Simeon’s thoughts or mindset as he waited for the consolation of Israel, for the comfort and peace that the Messiah would bring. Luke also doesn’t tell us how long Simeon had been waiting (more on that in tomorrow’s devotion). But Luke does share one very important detail in today’s short verse: that the Holy Spirit was on Simeon.

Could the same be said of us? Is the Holy Spirit on us as we wait? There are times when I would say absolutely yes, especially those times when I’m waiting for something spiritual. We’re all waiting for Jesus to take us home to heaven, and it’s relatively easy to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we strive to live sanctified lives on our path that ultimately leads heavenward.

But what about the more mundane waiting? What about waiting for fulfillment and purpose in your job, for peace and harmony in your family life, for health and healing in the midst of a medical diagnosis? Do your thoughts turn heavenward in these moments of waiting? Or do you find yourself trying to handle them on your own and only seeking out God after all your other options have been exhausted? If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit that God is too often my last thought rather than my first when I’m waiting—even though I know the waiting will be much more bearable with him by my side.

There’s one more thing we can learn from Simeon in our moments of waiting. Later in this chapter, Luke records that Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit to go into the temple courts, into the house of God. Simeon finished up his waiting by being in the presence of God and of those who were also waiting for the Messiah. He was strengthened by hearing God’s Word proclaimed and fellowshipping with other believers. When we faithfully attend worship and Bible study, when we cultivate Christian friendships, when we make it a priority to be in the house of our God, we too are blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our days, weeks, months, and even years of waiting. Our waiting might not be shorter or easier, but it will be more bearable with our God by our side!