(Read Romans 15)
I was going to title this devotional “Rage Against the Machine,” but I opted to stay more positive. For those of you who live on Mars, this week featured a highly contested election. Leading up to the presidential election, both parties claimed it was potentially the most pivotal event in America’s history. Fans of the losing side are predicting a doom-and-gloom scenario and the end of the world as we know it.
On the morning of election day, I read a tweet from an influencer I’m “friends” with stating that this day is probably the most important and biggest day of her life. I gently pointed out that, in my opinion, every day should be viewed as the most important day of our lives. We’re not guaranteed another. Before seeing her tweet, I had just gotten off the phone with a close friend who was undergoing brain surgery to remove a cancerous metastatic lesion. I told my influencer connection that I didn’t think my friend facing brain surgery was too worried about the election that day.
This is all a matter of perspective, but some perspectives can be wrong. There, I said it. Giving that much of yourself to someone you don’t know or will ever know is building your life on sand. We elevate politicians to kings and gods. My Mom once said, “In my 80 years, I’ve witnessed many elections, and there were no measurable differences in my life.” How did we get to the point where we turn personal, sexual, and social choices into the most essential moments in our lives? There are worldly forces at work diverting our eyes away from God and His goodness to things that tear us apart.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:25-26;29-32
Luke described Simeon as a “righteous and devout” man who eagerly awaited the “consolation of Israel,” referring to the anticipated arrival of the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognized Him as the Savior. Filled with joy, he praised God, declaring that Jesus is the “light to the Gentiles” and the “glory of Israel.” Initially, Simeon was looking for Israel’s salvation, but upon seeing so much more, He was overcome with joy. This moment emphasized Jesus’ role as the universal Savior, fulfilling Jewish expectations and God’s promises for all people.
Simeon was nearing the end of his life. He wasn’t seeking wealth, fame, or other earthly treasures; he merely wanted to experience the glory of God. The awe of witnessing the hope of heaven and earth in the Messiah is more profound and lasting than the fleeting satisfaction of a political victory, which offers temporary change rather than eternal promise. A president’s victory gives the country four years of human promises, whereas Christ’s victory promises all believers eternal life with Him.
When I read this passage in Luke this week, I immediately underlined it. The emotion between the lines astonished me. Sometimes, when reading the Bible, I inject myself into the narrative. I could see the abundance of God’s glory bringing total joy to Simeon. Imagine you’re waiting for one thing to happen before you die, but instead of something trivial and temporary, that one thing is God’s salvation in “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Then you see the light! Imagine the awe Simeon felt!
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4
What I love about this Psalm is its reflection of God’s majesty and humanity’s place within creation. We can marvel at the vastness of God’s handiwork in the universe and contemplate humanity’s insignificance in comparison. Yet, despite our apparent smallness, God is mindful of and cares for people. Our limitations don’t prevent us from being significant. Our status reflects both humility and value. The Psalm encourages us to reflect on our dependence on God while recognizing our unique place within His creation.
Psalm 8 brings us to a point of complete trust—trust in a God who makes all things and trust in the things God makes. We create trouble when we flip the view upside down, entirely relying on humanity and negating God’s presence. God created us to worship, praise, and adore Him—not because He needs it but because He desires a close relationship with us. He knows what happens when we don’t know Him.
My wife called me this morning, clearly upset. She saw something a former teacher friend of hers posted. It was dark and dismissive. Her friend, a former believer, endorsed the ramblings of an atheist source. It read, “Until we humans accept there’s no grand design, no higher call, only this one life, with only each other and this planet and its resources, no next life, no rewarding afterlife, people will continue to hurt each other, be selfish, act in the name of a higher entity, and war and greed will continue to win.” I found so many issues with this thought, but the most troubling is the inverted perspective. It’s not followers of Christ causing all the hurt in the world; it’s the fallen nature of all humans causing it.
The cause of the world’s problems is not people who believe in God but rather when people replace themselves with God. Where is the result of hope if it’s pointed at ourselves? For most of us, in 100 years or so, no one will have any idea of our lives, our successes, and our contributions to this world. When hope is aimed at God, we get His favor and everything underneath.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Ironically, this letter of the Bible was written by a man who persecuted, terrorized, and killed some of Jesus’ early followers. Ironically, this same man was the most prolific writer in the New Testament.
Paul emphasized that through faith, believers can experience a profound sense of hope and peace that transcends circumstances — even election results. Joy and peace come not from human efforts but from the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables all believers to “abound in hope.” As the ultimate provider of hope and promises, our optimism for the future rests in God. God’s presence calms our hearts and fills us with contentment and pure joy. Through the Spirit’s work, Christians are encouraged to live expectantly, knowing God’s promises are certain.
Our hope isn’t rooted in our strength or resilience but in God’s unwavering commitment to us. He and everything about Him is unchanging. No matter our circumstances, He is steadfast, working out His purposes in our lives. Our strength will falter, and our faith may even waver, yet God’s faithfulness endures. He carries us through every trial, failure, and setback.
Pastor Burk Parsons wrote, “Joy isn’t the absence of sadness — it’s the presence of the Holy Spirit.” There is happiness in winning a ball game, having someone smile at you, or laughing at your joke. There is happiness in getting your way. True happiness, though, is joy, and joy is being in the presence of God.
Be embraced, all ye millions!
With a kiss for all the world!
Brothers, beyond the stars
Surely dwells a loving Father.
Do you kneel before Him, oh millions?
Do you feel the Creator’s presence?
Seek Him beyond the stars!
He must dwell beyond the stars.
Ode to Joy – Friedrich Schiller
Key Applications:
- Trust in God and God alone. Simeon had waited faithfully for the Messiah, trusting God’s promise. We can trust that God fulfills His promises, even if they take time.
- Break the cycle of skepticism, hate, and distrust. Get beyond politics. Follow Christ’s example and pray that you will live your life focused on serving others and positively impacting the world.