There was a woman mentioned in the Bible in Luke chapter 2, who served the Lord for a long time. Her name was Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was a prophetess. Prophets and prophetesses devoted themselves to serving God. Because of this close relationship with God, they were able to speak His word.
The Bible says that Anna had lived with her husband seven years after their marriage and then she was widowed. It had been a long time since she had had a husband. Now at 84 years old (*see below), she spent all of her time in the temple, fasting and praying. She worshipped the Lord day and night. Chances are, Anna never received recognition or payment for her service, but God was about to give her a special blessing.
Jesus had been born. He was just over a month old when Joseph and Mary brought to him to the temple to present him to the Lord as was required in the Law for every first born male. While they were at the temple, Anna saw them, gave thanks to God for the child and spoke about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. He was the answer to an ancient prophecy. I wonder how many people believed the old woman when she told them she had seen the Messiah? Whatever her listeners thought, she knew. God had given her the privilege of beholding His face in this tiny baby. What a joy it must have been to proclaim that the Savior had come.
Anna had lived with disappointment. Having been married only seven years, she was a young woman when she was widowed. But now, in her old age she spent her time praying, worshipping and serving her Lord. There is no retirement for the Christian. We are called to serve and to worship until He comes back or He calls us home. What better life is there?
Developing a relationship with the Father is the most fulfilling relationship anyone can have. He fills every emptiness and makes up for any loss. After many years of service, God blessed Anna by bringing the new born Messiah to her.
(*)Some translate this text as "she lived 84 years after being widowed." If that is true Anna was over 100 years old when she was blessed with seeing the Messiah.
Anna’s name means “gracious.”
Other prophetesses were Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) and Hannah. (1 Samuel 1:2 )
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