Luke 2:21-35 KJV
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, 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.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

My State mouring the loss of former Lt Govenor Linwood Holten, I was thinking I do not remember him and I realized I was just barely knowledge that we even had a government at that age beyond a USA flag, and Virginia flag. Point is as a Virginia, I take note of my state government, but seldom mention my state. My audience reach beyond my state, and I not about to try to keep up with every state government except when it seems to fit in. Truth Virginia state does not fit in today but I am making a point to take note of Lt Govenor Linwood Holten passing, because He was Big Stony Gap virginia, from southwestern Virginia. Those in these parts that think you can not achieve big goals think again. Hard work and study does pay off. He died at age 98.

Simeon a man waiting in old age for the promise God had given him to see the Messiah, when Joseph, Mary and the baby comes into the temple to do the sacrifices according to traditions of the Jewish law that said any male that opens a womb that he would be consider holy and that two turtle doves and two young pigeons. This would happen after Mary purification from giving birth to Jesus. Jesus had been circumcised by customs of 8 days old. Now when Simeon saw the baby he knew who he was he was the salvation of the Lord. He began to prophesy concerning Jesus.

These things are important Simeon was old, but not forgotten by God, nor without hope at an old age. He long to see the Messiah and God by his Spirit revealed he would see the hope of Israel. How many years had he waited we do not know, but this was his hope and his dream to see the Messiah before he died, but it was also the word of God spoken to his heart by the Holy Spirit, that he would see the Messiah before he died. He carried a hope that came to pass in his life time, a hope that would bring salvation to all mankind. He told Mary that "a sword would pierce her own soul also". The word of God coming to pass would penetrate her own soul as it had his own. When God's word pierces our heart because of the truth of God's word comes to pass, it hits a place that when man is hit with the reality of God's word, it brings it own powerful punch to the soul of the reality of God.

I know my own heart the reality of God piercing the soul has occurred on more then one occasion. However I think of the point of when God first spoke to my heart there were things I understood not, but look back and I remember as God calls these things to mind. I can not imagine Mary, as a young woman fully understand Simeon words, but as Christ was beaten and was hung on a cross, her heart was pierced to the core. Jesus obey God and healed people and then the insurrection, the money changers enraged her son, he turned their tables over and a priest son killed someone. God's Son was going to the cross. Lamb would be lead to the slaughter the words of Isaiah. He had healed people, he had ministered to people, he had done the work of God and he was dying for who he was. It was known he would die before he was even born. Mary might not of understood all that was written about Christ as she watched her son die, but when he rose, no doubt she knew then the word of God had come to pass and it touch her very soul, her heart, and her mind. It pierced her to the very core the reality of God's Holy Word. She new the joy of God's words, with the birth of her son, and she knew the word of God with the coming of Elizabeth son, but the impact of God's word through the death and resurrection of her Son would have on the world she did not know until the time it happened and her own soul was pierced. The knowledge it was better to obey God rather then man. The knowledge that to obey God meant something just as important as belief if not more important then belief, but one can not obey God without belief, it was to see one would have eternal hope of their own salvation through faith in God's redemption plan through his only begotten Son, whose name is Jesus.

God by his Spirit can speak to your soul, however that something you have to experience and it can not be on demand by you, you have to wait for God to speak to you. Wait for his promise and prophesy to be revealed in your own life. It will be revealed. Wait on the Lord, for your time to testify will come from the day of salvation to the day of your death, but the hope you know within comes with the knowledge of truth of his salvation. Say the prayer for salvation, believe with all sincerity and repent of sin, and ask him to fill your heart with his Spirit who seals you from the day of your salvation, and acknowledge him in everything you do and he will direct your path. He will take you on a spiritual journey and he will pierce your own soul by his Word and Spirit. To know the truth and to allow it to set you free. Simeon knew the truth and told God he was ready to depart in peace.

To know God and to know salvation is important part of faith, to know you can have peace because his word lives in your heart and soul and mind. That his Son paid the price for our sins. Today receive Christ as your Savior and Lord in your heart. Need help to pray see the salvation link at the top and bottom of page. It gives a few verses and a prayer to say.

Dear Heavenly Father give the readers the knowledge of your word being true as it is in my own heart and the heart of every believer. Help us to know your word will come as spoken by your Spirit in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Hebrews 4:12 KJV
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.