Today, pastor Ed will be preaching from Luke 2:22-38. God had promised consolation for Israel, a time of comfort and renewed hope (see Isa. 40:1; 49:13; 51:3; 52:9; 57:18; 66:10-11). Simeon expected that to happen any day. In his daily walk with God, Simeon had heard God's Spirit speak. God's personal word to Simeon guaranteed him the Christ, God's comfort in person, would come before Simeon died. God kept his promise to a man known in history only because he waited obediently for God to keep his promise.