Adore Him: Simeon & Anna

In this captivating episode of The Heartbeat of Faith Podcast, we journey into the heartwarming story of Simeon and Anna, two faithful souls who had been fervently praying and waiting for the long-anticipated Messiah. Their unwavering dedication serves as a powerful reminder that some prayers may take years to be answered, but giving up on honest prayers for deliverance should never be an option. Hosted by the ever-inspiring Dr. Andrew Farley, this Christmas episode delves deep into the profound experiences of Simeon and Anna, showcasing their enduring faith and the incredible moment they met the newborn King, Jesus.

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Anna, a prophetess, adds her own compelling narrative to this tapestry of faith. Despite the early heartbreak of losing her husband and a lifetime of challenges, she never wavered in her devotion to God. Anna's steadfast commitment to prayer and worship, even in the face of suffering and old age, is a testament to the enduring power of faith. Just as Simeon and Anna persevered in prayer, they remind us that prayers should be accompanied by watchful and patient hearts. As you listen to this episode and reflect on their stories, may you find inspiration to pray earnestly, wait intentionally, and trust in God's faithfulness, knowing that He will reveal His plans in due time. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Let us pray. Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall. But those who wait
for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up
with wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary.
They will walk and not faint. Isaiah Chapter forty, verses

(00:23):
thirty and thirty one. Dear Lord, it isn't always easy
to wait, especially when I'm excited about what you may do.
There are many prayers you have yet to answer. But
I trust your goodness in your wisdom no matter what
may come. You are faithful even when I can't see

(00:44):
or understand what you have planned. Thank you for giving
me this new heart that trusts you completely. Remind me
to set my mind on your goodness so that I
can weather the storms and look to you always in
Jesus name. Amen, Thank you for praying with me today.

(01:06):
Now discover the profound intricacies of the heartbeat of faith.
With doctor Andrew Farley.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
These two people had been waiting patiently in prayer for
the Messiah to come.

Speaker 3 (01:28):
The old man held the baby and cried out loud
to the heavens. He held the boy up and praised God,
Oh my God. Now I may rest in peace. I
have seen your salvation and held it in my arms.
He is the Light of the Lord.

Speaker 2 (01:45):
What have you been waiting on? What have you been
praying for? Simeon and Anna remind us that you should
never give up on honest, transparent prayers to God. Hello
and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Heartbeat of
Faith podcast. I'm doctor Andrew Farley. Today we continue our

(02:06):
look into the people who were the first to behold
the new born King. The shepherds bore witness to the
baby lying in a manger, and now eight days later
in the temple, two people captured a glimpse into eternity.
The first to see Jesus from Afar was a man

(02:27):
named Simeon. For years, he had waited in the temple
to behold God's Son, the Messiah.

Speaker 3 (02:38):
Eight days later, a man named Simeon sat at the
gates of the Temple in Jerusalem. He was advanced in
years and waited near the temple gates every day. The
Lord had told him long ago that he would witness
the Messiah, so he waited patiently. He prayed in the
shade of the temple walls until the Holy Spirit tugged
on his heart. He opened his eyes and saw Mary

(02:59):
and Joseph entering the temple courtyard with a small child.
They were coming to present their child to the Lord
and dedicate him accordingly to the law of Moses. Simeon's
heart fluttered in his chest. Tears fell down his cheeks
as he hobbled over to the child. Startled, Mary stepped
back and held Jesus close, but then she looked at

(03:22):
the man's eyes. Joy, overwhelming and honest joy could be
seen in his eyes. Mary rested him in Simeon's arms.

Speaker 2 (03:32):
Simeon held Jesus in his arms and lifted a song
of praise. His prayer to the Lord revealed his relief
at the sight of Jesus. The Messiah's coming meant peace
and rest to Simeon's weary soul. Now that he had
gazed upon the beauty of Christ, he could die with assurance.

(03:55):
Simeon knew the fate that awaited Jesus. His warning to
me Mary was spoken out of hope, because he knew
salvation had finally arived.

Speaker 3 (04:10):
The old man held the baby and cried out loud
to the heavens. He held the boy up and praised God,
Oh my God, Now I may rest in peace. I
have seen your salvation and held it in my arms.
He is the light of the Lord. Simeon gave the
child back to his mother and held both Mary and

(04:30):
Joseph in his arms. Simeon held Mary's shoulders and looked
her in the eyes. His joyful face turned into mourning
as he looked at her. This child is destined to
make many fall and rise. He will expose the depths
of every person's heart. Many will be after him, and
a sword will cut straight through your very soul because

(04:52):
of it.

Speaker 2 (04:54):
The second to see Jesus in the temple was a
prophetess who had known, suffered praise and joy.

Speaker 3 (05:06):
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Fanuel
of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age,
having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
and she had been a widow for about eighty four years,
who didn't depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and
petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour,

(05:30):
she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of him
to all those who were looking for redemption and Jerusalem.
Luke two thirty six through thirty eight.

Speaker 2 (05:42):
Anna experienced heartbreak early on in her life in the
wake of losing her husband. She devoted her life to God.
Daily she prayed, waiting for God to speak to her.
Despite enduring the pain of losing her husband and the
difficulties of old age, Anna had not become cynical or disheartened.

(06:08):
Perhaps it was because she remained devoted to God. As
a woman of deep faith, Anna continued to look toward
the future with hope. Those who cling to the Lord
will have more endurance in despair. This is why the
people of Israel were continually called to make joyful shouts

(06:30):
to the Lord before facing an insurmountable foe. Worship and
praise are the anthems of hope and victory in Jesus.
These two people had been waiting and praying for the
Messiah to come day and night. They prayed for God
to send him, but he didn't come immediately. Some prayers

(06:53):
take years to answer, but often we don't get to
see them answered because we've given up looking. What have
you been waiting for? What have you been praying for?
Simeon and Anna remind us that you should never give
up on honest, transparent prayers to God. This is why
the apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing.

Speaker 3 (07:21):
Always rejoice, pray without ceasing in everything, give thanks for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Don't quench the spirit, don't despise prophecies, Test all things,
and hold firmly that which is good. One Thessalonians five

(07:42):
sixteen through.

Speaker 2 (07:43):
Twenty Simeon and Anna prayed to God for help, but
praying is only half of it. They prayed, and they
waited with readiness. They watched patiently for God to move,
but they weren't anxious in their waiting. Today, I want

(08:04):
to encourage you to pray earnestly, then give up all
expectations and simply trust the goodness of God that one
way or another, God will show himself faithful to you.

Speaker 3 (08:22):
Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young
men utterly fall, But those who wait for Yahweh will
renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run and not be weary. They will walk
and not faint. Isaiah forty thirty through thirty one.

Speaker 2 (08:45):
Thank you for listening to today's episode. Of the Heartbeat
of Faith podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode or learn
something new about the Bible, share it with a friend
or family member, download Theprey dot com app, and for
more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrew Farley dot org.

(09:06):
That's Andrew Farley dot org.