We Have Waited
In the manual: Come, Follow Me lesson 52, “We Have Waited for Him, and He Will Save Us,” on Gospel Library
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Isaiah wrote a line that fits the whole Old Testament. “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9).
Read Together
This week’s title comes from that verse. For thousands of years, prophets and faithful people looked forward to the Messiah, and many of them died still waiting (Hebrews 11:13).
9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
What It Teaches
Simeon was an old man in Jerusalem, “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). The Holy Ghost had promised him that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Christ (verse 26).
When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple, Simeon took him in his arms. “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,” he said (Luke 2:28–30). After a lifetime of waiting, he held the promise in his hands.
Anna, an old widow, served in the temple night and day with fasting and prayer. When she saw the child, she gave thanks and spoke of him “to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:36–38).
Isaiah’s verse ends with joy. “We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” This year’s Come, Follow Me reading was the Old Testament, a record of people waiting. Christmas is the day they waited for.
Talk About It
Simeon and Anna waited their whole lives to see the Savior. What are we waiting for right now, and how can we wait with faith the way they did?
Take to Church
Isaiah said, “we have waited for him, and he will save us.” Simeon waited his whole life, then held the baby Jesus in the temple and said his eyes had seen salvation.