Day 22: The Faith of Anna and Simeon
Scripture to meditate on: Luke 2:36-38 Anna’s Devotion
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. 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. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Devotional:
All kinds of people make up the body of Christ. When we look at how Jesus first came into the world, we also see many different types of people participating. Naturally, we pay a lot of attention to Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist. Lowly shepherds, glorious angels and kings from afar have a role, too.
Nestled among these is a woman who had had her share of loss. Nonetheless, this widow turned to God and devoted herself to seeking him, praying, worshiping him. Her focus was on the Lord, and as time went by, she grew older.
What she probably did not know was that God’s big plan was afoot and that He could use her to help point to Jesus as His Son, the Anointed One, who had come into the world to redeem humanity. So many remained hopeful of this plan that God had promised. Including Anna.
Through her devotion to the Lord, her love and her faithfulness, God was able to use Anna to be a part of that very plan. Her role might have been small, but how exhilarating to see God’s promise realized — that moment in the temple where she went every day. Not only that, the Lord God she worshiped so lovingly used her in that plan. God works through all kinds of people, all kinds of loss, all kinds of stories. May I be available for Him to work through me as He sees fit.
Questions to ponder:
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does this passage say about me or my relationships?
- What should I do in light of this passage?
