The Power of Hope

The Power of Hope

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply

Title: The Power of Hope-------------------------------- Date: 12/26/1999
Keywords: "hope"

Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

From December 21-26, the eXXit 3minute Bible studies will examine the biblical Christmas story from Luke, chapters 1 and 2. In these studies, we will discover keys to finding help in resisting temptation AND we will discover the sufficiency of Christ to help us when tempted.

Passage: Luke 2:25-32*

25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28. then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29. "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word;

30. For my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

31. Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32. A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Thy people Israel."

Questions

This passage describes the scene when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to God.

1. God had told Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. What do you think Simeon looked for every time he entered the Temple?

2. Do you think Simeon ever experienced disappointment over the years when, upon entering the Temple, the Messiah WASN’T there?

3. What kept Simeon hopeful?

Practical help

Many men (and women, too) become discouraged too easily in their struggle to escape the clutches of pornography. They may have been viewing porn for months or even years before trying to cease their involvement. Then, they cry out to God for deliverance - and nothing happens. The temptation is just as strong and there seems to be no escape in sight.

Hopeful Simeon gives hope to the discouraged. He had the Word of God to keep his hopes alive, even after years of visits to the Temple without seeing the Messiah.

Don’t give up hope in your struggle against pornography! The Word of God promises victory over sin, but God may have a purpose in having you wait for His deliverance. But deliverance will come. Just as surely as it did for Simeon, it will come. Trust, pray, ask others for help, find strength in Scripture - and never lose hope. “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

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Copyright 1999 by eXXit
*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLEŽ, Š Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."