December 30
Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV) Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
This is an amazing section of scripture in so many ways. This is the only scripture in which the Prophetess Anna is mentioned, but it speaks volumes about her.
Notice the scripture says she was “of a great age”…and the math equals about 91 years past her virginity…so she’s gotta be older than 100, right!!??!! Our culture is very disrespectful of the elderly in our communities. We don’t want to “hangout” with them, learn from them, or even think they do anything fun or important. It is so sad.
I have a lot of sweet sistas who are of retirement age.
If you are an older woman I hope you are encouraged that your best days are not necessarily behind you, but they can be in the now and also in the future. If God can bless Anna in her “greater” years…He can and wants to bless you as well! We do not hit a certain age and then poof we are no longer valuable or useful in His kingdom…that, my sistas, is a lie from the enemy ~ so don’t listen to it or think it!
From what this scripture says about her and from what I have read about biblical widowhood, Anna is a faithful woman of the Lord. She lived her life in His service ~ for His glory. It says, “…who did not depart from the temple”. From that I take that she clung to God ~ He really was her life and length of days ~ her all in all.
“And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,” …this makes me think that the Spirit told her who Jesus was. He was Who she was looking and longing for. She was blessed to live and see Him.
It also says, “and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Can you imagine all the people she would tell? It says she was at the temple serving God day and night. I have to think, with her being a woman, that she could not contain herself but told everyone she saw.
Can you even imagine it, you are going about your day, serving God and then there He is, the One prophesied about is right before you. She was blessed indeed!!
So, where are you right now? What might you need to do with this lesson? Has God convicted you of anything? Have you been encouraged by this scriptural glimpse into the life of Anna? If you have been convicted, then be quick to repent and obey what He is saying to you. If you are encouraged ~ bless Him.
Let’s all praise Him for His goodness, faithfulness and love. He is so good to us and just like Anna ~ we are blessed indeed!
Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay
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