Learning to Wait Well: Insights from Simeon and Anna

Learning to Wait Well: Insights from Simeon and Anna

Introduction

Waiting is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. Whether waiting for answers to prayer, healing, direction, or fulfillment of a promise, the in-between can often feel lonely, frustrating, and uncertain. Yet, the Bible teaches that waiting can be holy —an act of faith that draws us closer to God.

Two often-overlooked characters in the Nativity story— Simeon and Anna —offer profound lessons on what it means to wait well. Their quiet presence in the Gospel of Luke is rich with spiritual depth and patient hope. They remind us that waiting is not wasted time but a sacred opportunity to grow in trust, character, and worship.

Let’s take a deeper look at their story and discover how we too can wait well.

The Setting: The Presentation in the Temple

Luke 2:22–38 describes a significant moment when Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. This act fulfilled Jewish law, but it also became the moment when two faithful servants—Simeon and Anna—witnessed the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.

Their appearance is brief in the Gospel account, but the legacy of their faith has endured for centuries.

Simeon: The Watchman of God’s Promise

Luke 2:25–26 (NIV) says:

“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.”

From this short passage, we learn a lot about Simeon. He was:

• Righteous (upright in character and action)

• Devout (dedicated to God)

• Filled with the Holy Spirit

• Waiting for the “consolation of Israel” —a phrase referring to the coming of the Messiah who would comfort and redeem God’s people.

Simeon wasn’t passively waiting. His wait was active and spirit-led . He lived in constant expectation and spiritual readiness.

Lesson #1: Waiting well means anchoring your heart in God’s promises.

Simeon’s hope wasn’t vague or aimless. He had heard from God, and he believed what God had said. He didn’t know when the promise would be fulfilled, but he lived every day in anticipation of that moment.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” —Hebrews 10:23

Simeon’s Moment of Fulfillment

One ordinary day, the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the temple. There, he encounters Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Holding the infant Christ in his arms, he declares:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…” —Luke 2:29–30

For Simeon, seeing Jesus was enough . His long wait was rewarded, and his soul was at peace.

Lesson #2: Waiting well prepares us to recognize the fulfillment when it arrives.

Simeon didn’t need a sign in the sky or a grand event—he recognized Jesus through spiritual discernment. A life of prayer and faithful waiting had sharpened his spiritual vision. When the moment came, he didn’t miss it.

Anna: A Prophetess of Praise

Luke 2:36–37 (NIV) introduces Anna:

“There was also a prophet, Anna... She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

Anna’s life story is filled with quiet devotion. After just seven years of marriage, she lived as a widow for decades. Instead of succumbing to despair, Anna turned to worship, prayer, and fasting . Her wait wasn’t for personal gain—it was for the redemption of Israel .

Lesson #3: Waiting well is rooted in worship.

Anna “never left the temple.” This likely means she was continually present at public worship and deeply engaged in the spiritual life of the community. Her waiting was marked by intimacy with God , even through hardship and loneliness.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” —Isaiah 40:31

Anna’s Response to Seeing Jesus

When Anna sees Jesus, she instantly recognizes Him. She begins praising God and speaks about the child to all who were waiting for redemption.

“She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” —Luke 2:38

Anna not only waited— she witnessed and she witnessed. She shared the joy of the Messiah’s arrival with others.

Lesson #4: Waiting well equips us to minister to others.

Anna’s spiritual discipline produced fruit. When the time came, she didn’t keep the joy to herself—she encouraged others who were also waiting . When we wait in worship and surrender, God uses our testimony to build up others.

Comparing Simeon and Anna: Different Paths, Same Faith

Though Simeon and Anna were different in background and role, their stories have striking similarities:

• Both were elderly , reminding us that God is never finished with anyone, no matter their age.

• Both were deeply faithful , committed to God’s Word and presence.

• Both were spiritually attentive , able to recognize the Messiah without fanfare.

• Both responded in worship and proclamation .

Their lives show us that waiting is not passive—it is purposeful . It is not merely the passing of time but the cultivation of a faithful heart .

What Can We Learn About Waiting Well?

Whether you’re waiting for healing, breakthrough, purpose, or direction, the lives of Simeon and Anna offer practical and spiritual guidance:

1. Stay in God’s Presence

Anna made the temple her home. You may not live in a literal temple, but you can live in a posture of worship, prayer, and Word-centered living.

2. Listen for the Spirit’s Promptings

Simeon was led by the Spirit. Waiting well includes learning to discern the Spirit’s voice and respond in faith when He leads.

3. Refuse to Let Delay Diminish Hope

Waiting for years did not harden Simeon or Anna’s hearts. They stayed hopeful and expectant. Let your waiting season fuel your faith rather than weaken it.

4. Keep Serving While You Wait

Both Simeon and Anna were not idle. They served, worshiped, prayed, and encouraged others . Don’t waste your wait—invest it in eternal things.

5. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness

When the wait is over, respond with praise. Let others see your joy and hear your testimony. Like Anna, share the story of what God has done.

The Theology of Waiting

The Bible is filled with people who waited:

• Abraham waited for Isaac.

• Joseph waited in prison for deliverance.

• David waited to become king.

• Israel waited centuries for the Messiah.

In each story, waiting produced not only fulfillment but also transformation .

Waiting reveals our theology: Do we really trust God? Do we believe His timing is perfect? Are we willing to surrender control?

The lives of Simeon and Anna answer these questions with a resounding “yes.”

Conclusion: Redeeming the Waiting

Waiting is hard. But God is at work in the waiting. He is shaping your heart, strengthening your faith, and drawing you deeper into His presence.

Simeon and Anna didn’t just wait for something—they waited for someone . That made all the difference. The object of your wait matters. If you’re waiting on God, your hope is never misplaced.

So, wait in prayer. Wait in worship. Wait with trust. And when the promise comes, may your response be like Simeon’s and Anna’s— full of joy, praise, and testimony.

Prayer

Gracious Lord,
Teach me to wait well. In moments of delay, help me to trust Your perfect timing and unshakable promises. Like Simeon, give me a heart that listens to Your Spirit. Like Anna, let my waiting be filled with prayer and praise. Strengthen me when I grow weary and remind me that You are always at work, even in the silence. Use this season to draw me closer to You and prepare me for what is to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.