God's Holy Fire: 'Revealed by the Spirit'

Thursday, December 24, 2026

It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
— Luke 2:26 NIV

Key Thought

I do not know how the Spirit's revelation to Simeon was accomplished. Nevertheless, I am thankful for God's grace in giving this revelation to him. Simeon was such a wonderful and strong man of character. In his old age, he was given this special grace because God had sustained him through a special promise from the Holy Spirit. The promise to Simeon reminds me of another promise about God's sustaining us: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). The Spirit of God not only renews and sustain us; the Holy Spirit also transforms us to become more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; Titus 3:5).

Today's Prayer

O Father, I don't just want to grow older; I want to be transformed to be more and more like Jesus. Fill me and mold me and empower me by your Holy Spirit as I offer myself to you as a living sacrifice. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:26 NIV — It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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