“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart {this life} in peace, according to Your word…” – Simeon, the lover of God ((Luke 2:29))

Oh, how Simeon loved God.

Oh, how God loved Simeon.

The name/word Simeon comes from a strong Hebrew word, שָׁמַע sh ‘ma; “to hear.”

But this is not just a simple hearing; it is a deep hearing. For, when deep calls unto deep, only a deep hearing can perceive that call. I read an old rabbinical proverb once that said, “it takes a deep hearing to know what the wind is saying.” Simeon remained in the Presence of the Lord until he became very aged. The Holy Spirit had arrested Simeon with His great love and did not let him out of His grasp.

The people would remark how Simeon held on to his life, but Simeon did not hold on, he gave in – gave into the heart of Yehovah his God – all that he had and all that he was.

Oh, how Simeon loved God. Oh, how God loved Simeon.

God’s Holy Spirit promised Simeon that he would see the very face of salvation – the One – the Anointed One. Simeon heard the voice of the One he loved. The Love of his God held him tightly, warmly – comforting his every moment with the sound of His promise: “You will see.” Now, this hearer of the deep things of God has his eyes opened up to see the deep things of God. The hearer becomes the seer as well.

Anyone else saw a child. Simeon saw the hope of Israel and the hope of the gentile nations! Simeon saw the love of God made manifest. His arms held God for so many years as he praised as king David praised. Now, his arms held the treasures of the Kingdom of heaven.

Simeon loved God enough to listen – to hear. Finally, Simeon loved God enough to see. Simeon held God with his great love. God held Simeon with His great love.

He then held love in his arms and said to God, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” – Simeon, the lover of God.

I don’t know about you, but I want to hear deep calling like Simeon. I want to hold God like Simeon and have God hold me like He held Simeon and continues to hold His children in His love.

Oh, how Simeon loved God. Oh, how God loved Simeon.

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:25-32 NASB)