Job, Anna and Simeon-Waiting...

Dear Sunday School Parents,

I'm sorry there wasn't a blog last week! Getting ready to leave for teacher's conference kept my mind occupied!

This week we hear about the stories from the last two weeks-

Job and Anna and Simeon- all waiting

Job is a hard story to understand at times. Job is a man of great faith- God himself says so! The devil disagrees, he thinks Job only believes because his life is good, lots of kids, lots of wealth, lots of everything- God had really blessed him. So the devil proposes a test to God- let's see if Job still believes if we take all he has away. God allows this test. So in one terrible day, Job's livelihood of flocks and herds is stolen or destroyed. His children are killed in a freak windstorm that collapses the home where they all happen to be. Job is left childless and destitute. His response is "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be praised."

That is not what the devil expected to hear! He gives God another test to try- let's make Job sick in his own body. So God allows Job to be sick, covered in boils from head to toe, he sits in torn rags in the ash heap, scraping his sores and miserable. Three 'friends' come to give him advice- you must have done something wrong, Job! His wife says, "Curse God and die!" But Job remains faithful, even though he starts to question God.

God answers- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Made the huge animals, brought up the waters of the deep? Do you know the future?

Job quickly realizes, he has no answers. He takes comfort in the fact that God is God- I know that my Redeemer lives and that even though I die, yet in my flesh I will see God!

God restores Job to his former wealth, gives him more children and Job waits for that day when he will see God face to face.

Anna and Simeon have been waiting! Not as long as Job, but they have been waiting in the temple in Jerusalem for the Savior to make His appearance. And He does!!

Jesus. Mary and Joseph come to the temple to present Jesus to the religious authorities and give their required offering for the birth of a child. Anna and Simeon see them and we hear Simeon say something so familiar- Lord, let your servant depart in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have promised to your people, Israel. A light to light the way for the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.

Now we wait for his return! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen