Trust

We'd like to trust people - indeed, we want to trust them - but we know, deep down, that real trust needs to be earned. It's an unfortunate fact that some people will promise you anything in order to get what they want. Then, once they've got it, they quietly forget what they promised. But the people whom we admire, and ultimately come to rely on, are the ones who live up to their promises.
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Simeon had been given a promise. To everyone else it seemed unbelievable, but God had assured him, through the Holy Spirit, that he would see the Mahdi - the long-awaited redeemer - before he died. Years had passed, however, nothing seemed to have happened, and Simeon was tempted to doubt whether he'd really understood the message he'd been given.
*
Then came a day when he felt a strange compulsion to go into the temple at Jerusalem. He obeyed the urge, and saw there a young married couple. It was Joseph and Mary, who had come up from Bethlehem to present their newborn son to the Lord. For the law required that the first-born boy in every family should be brought into the temple and two doves or young pigeons offered on his behalf.
*
Before they'd got to the altar, Simeon ran to Mary, whisked the baby out of her arms and began to shout with excitement:
*
"Sovereign Lord, now, as You promised,
You can dismiss Your servant in peace.
These eyes of mine have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
to be a light bringing revelation to unbelievers
and giving glory to those who are faithful."
*
Joseph and Mary just stared at the man, astounded by what he was saying. Simeon smiled at them, kissed the baby he was holding and handed him back.
*
"This child of yours will bring about the rise and the downfall of many. Men will speak evil against him, thus revealing the secret thoughts of their hearts." He was quiet for a moment, gazing sadly at Mary. "And a sword shall also pierce you to the soul."
*