Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
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.
Luke 2:36-38
I love the brief description, but it speaks volumes about the Prophetess Anna in the Bible. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (meaning happy, blessed).
She was of great age, was married for seven years, and a widow of about 84 years.
Anna is one of the prophetesses mentioned in the Word of God as such. In early life she married, but we may well believe that the Lord was with her in all the commonplaces of housekeeping and household duties. The same God who afterwards gave her her vocation was her Counsellor and Strength. Whenever God gives to a woman a special spiritual vocation, it will generally be found that her home life was made of God a preparation for it. -- Mary Elizabeth Baxter
The Scriptures tell us she did not depart from the temple, and she served God with fasting and prayer. She was a true worshiper.
She was a woman of thanksgiving and praise. She spoke about the Lord, His redemption to all those who would listen to her.
She thanked God for Jesus and spoke about Him in her own testimonies to those who looked for redemption in Jeruselum. She saw the Lord, and she was a witness, and she bore witness to those who would listen.
Living continually face to face with God, drinking in perpetually the thoughts which He would impart to her, losing the narrowness of self‐interest and absorbed in the continually widened interests which God would make known to her as she was able to bear them-there must have been a light upon the countenance of Anna which was a study in itself, for God and heaven shone there. -- Mary Elizabeth Baxter
Praise the Lord for the life of the Prophetess Anna.
KEY TRUTH
God’s perfect timing is found when we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow His promptings.
kEYS TO BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD
- Anna praised
- Worshipped
- Her vocation was prayer
- Cultivated a thankful heart
- Her great age did not prevent her from serving the Lord
- She did not quench the Holy Spirit’s fire
- She served as a mouthpiece for God
- Women must take time to study God’s Word and listen to His voice
- Women, too have a responsibility to share the good news of the gospel
- Even mundane tasks are important
Dear LORD, make us more like You. Help us pray daily, make us Your true worshippers who worship You in spirit and truth. May we be women who pray day and night, not departing from Your presence. May our home life be well-pleasing to You, remind us You are with us in the mundane, may all that we do glorify You. Prompt our hearts to fast when we need to. Give us spiritual discipline and sharp discernment. May others come to know You by the testimonies we share about You. Please help us to be responsible women who share the good news of the gospel. Set hearts on fire for You not quenching the Holy Spirits’ fire. Lord, raise up praying Annas in our day of whom it may be said, “She spoke of Him.” Women of service and self-denial.
We lift up our pastors and leaders to You, bless them and strengthen them, give them Your supernatural power to accomplish and preach what You want then to preach; Your authentic biblical Word. We love You and give You thanks and all the glory.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
ANNA: THE PROPHETESS. By Mary Elizabeth Baxter