Friday January 29^th-Anna-Luke 2:36-38

As of this time of writing we are in the midst of an inauguration of a new president, with much turmoil.  My husband and I have just spent time fasting and praying for our country.  What peace and joy has filled our souls.  Fasting brings peace, joy and humility before our God.  It keeps us focused on Him!

Anna was a prophetess, serving and worshiping day and night with fastings and prayers in the temple.  She was married for a few short years, seven to be exact and then was a widow the rest of her days.  She was eighty four years old.  What rejoicing when she saw Jesus for she recognized him.   She began giving thanks to God and continued to share Jesus with all who were looking for redemption and deliverance. 

Did you see that?  Anna devoted her life to fasting and praying and because she did she knew Jesus when she saw Him and not only that she would tell everyone about Him.

That is the kind of life I want to live before our God.

Lord,  I will exalt You, my God.  I will bless Your name forever.  Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You.  Great are You, Lord and highly to be praised.  You are my light and my salvation, Whom shall I fear?  You are my refuge and the fortress of my life.  One thing I ask of You Lord, that I will seek and dwell in Your house all the days of my life.  I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  Lord put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to You, my God; so that many will see, fear and trust in You.  Help me to delight to do Your will, O my God; for your law is written in my heart.  You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.  I will be still before You, God; for You will be exalted among the nations and in the earth.  Lord of hosts You are with me.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us lift up His name together.  Amen!

How about you?  Have you tried fasting?  Have you spent a day with the Lord, just you and Him in His Word, pouring out your heart to Him? 

EVERY WEEK WE MEET FOR PRAYER AND WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR YOU.  LEAVE YOUR REQUESTS HERE AND WE WILL BRING THEM BEFORE THE FATHER. 

 

 

   

 

Only a few verses....a mere glimpse into the life of Anna...but we know that she was a prophetess who believed the promises of God and served Him faithfully. She lost her husband at a young age but she found fulfillment and purpose in living a life of consistent dedication to God. I imagine that as she found herself in her later years she could relate to these verses from the Psalms.

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“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:5-8‬ 

And as we learn from Luke, she was given the great privilege in those later years of witnessing God’s promises revealed through the meeting of Mary, Joseph and the young infant Jesus ‭in the temple where she spent her days worshiping, fasting and praying. I imagine that she shared such wondrous news with many who would come to the temple. Again, I see a picture of her in the Psalms. 

“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:14-18‬ 

God took care of Anna and provided a rich, fulfilling life for her even though she was a single woman for most of it. He sustained her even in her older years. She was valued by Him and shown favor. As the years inevitably catch up with each of us, we can take comfort in God’s promises and know that He can still use us to minister to others and glorify Him. We are His children and He has plans for our lives and says that He will be with us and sustain us from our first breath to our last. 

““Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭46:3-4‬ ‭

 Luke 2

Someone once said that on every tomb stone there is found a dash between the date of birth and date of death, which begs the question, what will you do with your dash? Or more explicitly, what will your legacy be? Anna is only afforded three verses in the entire Bible, but there is a lot of information packed into them. Notice,

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, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ 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.

We’re told that she only lived with her husband for seven years. If she married at the usual age of other girls back then, that would have placed her in early twenties when her husband died and young enough to remarry and still have a family, but Anna preferred to remain in the temple to worship, pray and fast for some sixty years!  Imagine that! I wonder how many other women back then, or even now, would consider this to be a life well spent.

But there is a lot I’ve learned from Anna:

1.      Anna's focus was on her God not her circumstances.

How long have you stuck with something in spite of little to no support? Women were not permitted into the inner courts of the temple. Their primary duty was to marry and raise children. She went against the culture of the day to remain in the temple.  I don’t think I would have been so inclined to persevere, but think of how many people Anna was able to share her faith with, pray for and support over those sixty years. I believe she could remain there because her eyes were fixed on God and not her circumstances:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3

2. Anna’s life was one of obedience.
Anna obeyed God. She surrendered her will to God and did what God told her to do. How about you? Has God told you to do something but you've been hesitant? How quick are you to obey when God gives you a directive knowing the blessings of being obedient far outweigh the blessings of getting your way?

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. Anna’s life demonstrates that with God all things are possible.
Even in the toughest of times (Anna being widowed at such a young age) God is with us. Anna assures us that we can be used by God no matter who we are, or what situation we find ourselves in.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.
-Psalm 138:7-9

4. God provided for Anna.
How was Anna able to provide for herself residing in the temple night and day? The answer is, she didn’t, God did.  Being a widow, Anna, had to rely on others to feed and clothe her. The Lord provided for her and He will provide for us too!

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
–Psalm 17:5-6

5. Anna was courageous and committed.
I don’t think I need to go into the kind of courage and commitment it would take for anyone to remain in God’s house night and day ministering to others and telling others about the coming Savior. I thought of Joshua 1:9 for courage,

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, [push past your fears to reach your goals] for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And Romans 5;3-5 for commitment:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6. Anna understood what patience meant.
She waited for Christ to come despite the many years that had past. This one truly hits me right at my core, for patience has never been one of my best virtues. I am not sure I could have waited that long, but Anna could wait because of all the reasons I stated above. She knew God, she was completely surrendered and committed to Him, and she knew more so than anyone perhaps, that with God all things are possible.

I believe Anna could have penned these words herself:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. - Col 1:11-12

Blessings, 

sue

 

 

My dearest loved ones,

Oh how I’m bursting with joy to share the news! Finally after many years of waiting, God has given me the deepest desires of my heart. For today I saw the long awaited Messiah! A perfect little baby boy who will grow up to save the world!

Precious ones, God is so very good. He has blessed my long and faithful service to Him. As you well know, for many, many years I have been ministering before the Lord in the temple. My days and nights are filled with fasting, praying, and proclaiming His Word for all to hear. And although I’ve spent most of my life in the temple, I  must admit, sometimes it feels like just yesterday when I first came to the Lord’s house.

After seven years of marriage, my husband had passed. Broken hearted and at a crossroads, my Father Phanuel, wanted me to remarry. After all, that’s what a respectable Jewish woman does. But my heart wasn’t leading me to be a wife and mother. Instead it longed to dedicate my life in complete service to my God and His people. I guess you could call me a rebel, because that’s just what I did. And ever since, I have been joyfully working and waiting for prophecy to be fulfilled, and the promises of God brought to life. Which brings me back to why I’m writing. As I shared earlier, I have seen the Christ child! 

It was a day like any other. Mothers and fathers were arriving with their babies for the purification ceremony, as dictated by our culture. It’s always such a sweet sight to watch the proud families as they present their child to God, and the innocence and hope found in the faces of the newborns. As I was praying, I felt the Spirit lead me to go to the entrance of the temple. Once there, I saw standing before me, brother Simeon, a very devout man of faith. He was holding a baby and pronouncing great blessing over the child. Immediately my heart leapt with joy and tears streamed down my face, for I knew instantly that this was the promised Messiah! Praise sprung from my lips for the grace God showed me by letting me see His only begotten Son! 

Sweet sisters and brothers, I have heard that some of you have struggled with doubt, or in finding your purpose. Have you gone to God, asking for a heart of belief? Have you, in faith, laid your doubts at His feet? I Anna, prophetess from the tribe of Asher, can testify that every word of God rings true. I have seen His promises fulfilled before my very eyes. And if there’s anything I have learned in my 84 years it’s this. Believe! For each and every promise of God will come to pass. Finally, keep working for God’s kingdom. Because no matter who we are, or our age, when we live with an open heart, the Spirit will lead us to our calling. 

I’ll close now and with a heart of gladness, I thank God for each of you. “May the Lord bless you and keep you; Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26)

Chazak u'baruch, (Be strong and be blessed),

Anna

 

This Week's Memory Verse is Luke 2:37b

 

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Hi Girls!

We're already onto week three of our study! I hope you've been enjoying the study on the women of the New Testament so far. This week Anna is found in just a few verse in the Book of Luke, but there is a lot here as you will soon see this week!

Anna's story is found in Luke 2:22-38 or more specifically verse 36-38 

Remember each week we're looking for:

• Monday: Her story--a portrait of her life
• Tuesday: Her life and times--background information about the culture of her day
• Wednesday: Her legacy in Scripture--a short Bible study on her life with application to your own
• Thursday: Her promise--the Bible promises that apply to her life and yours
• Friday: Her legacy of prayer--and praying in light of her story

We want to also encourage you to be thinking along these lines as you study each woman throughout the week. Ask yourself:

 

 

Mary could certainly relate:

 When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? … Luke 1:28-34
She of course went on to accept all the angel had told her. 

Joseph could also relate, for he was just a poor carpenter betrothed to Mary, who thought to secretly divorce Mary, until the angel told him the plan in a dream.  (Mt 1:18-24)

I wonder how many of us would have chosen Joseph and Mary to bear the Son of God!? 

And certainly not in Bethlehem! “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” – Micah 5:2

In a stable, mind you.

And rather than the host of angels announcing His birth to the world, or at the very least the royalty of the world, God chose the lowliest of men; mere shepherds keeping watch over their flocks while the rest of the world slept. (Luke 2:8-15)

When it came time to dedicate Jesus, God’s Son- the King of kings and Lord of lords, Joseph and Mary could only offer the poorest of offerings – two turtledoves, or young pigeons. (Luke 2:24)  

And what of Simeon? He was simply a man that God chose to reveal the Messiah to. And Anna? An old widow, who had spent most of her life in the Temple. 

All of these simple people and simple beginnings. Nothing fancy, no fanfare! (Except the announcement to the shepherds perhaps) This was how our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ chose to come to us as the Messiah, the Savior of the whole world!!

 I believe I would have come up with another plan, much more grander perhaps, but the Lord did show me something else they all had in common... something of great worth to God… a heart that loved Him ... was ready and eager to follow Him, and rejoiced along with Him over His coming!

How about you? Has God called you to something? Do you wonder at times, why? Are you in the days of small beginnings even now?

The Lord is rejoicing to see the work He will produce through you. BUT, don’t take my word for it, look in the Bible … Moses had gotten off to a horrible start murdering an Egyptian and then running away. David began his time in a field tending sheep. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem with a remnant despite the opposition and the odds. And need I mention Jesus disciples and all God was able to do through them! The Bible is full of examples of God using “the foolish things of the world to confound the wise”. (1 Cor 1:27)

If you are wondering, “why me?” or find yourself in the days of small beginnings, take heart! The Lord is excited to see the work begin in you, and He who has called you to the work is faithful to strengthen your hands to do it, (1Thes 5:24). He will also send helpers into the ministry should you need them, and will be faithful to help you in whatever task He has set before you (Phil 2:13)! He will encourage you through His Spirit and with His Word, and will provide all of you need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it (1 Thess. 5:23). Just ask any of those God chose to be there when He came down to earth as our Savior!

 Blessings!