One Anna
Today’s Verse:
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
~Luke 2:36
Have you ever fathomed that there is only of you? There may be others with the same name, but there is only one of you. You are unique and set apart for the glory of God. God has a different journey for each of us as we walk this life of faith. However, God demonstrates His faithfulness and love to us. We see in Luke 2:36 that there was one Anna. Anna means “grace.” Her father’s name means “the face of God.” Let us see God’s grace at work in the life of Anna.
We see her despair.
We are told that Anna experienced the loss of her husband at a very early age. She had been married for seven wonderful years before his unexpected passing. We are further told that she was a widow for 84 years. To become widow at any age is difficult, but experiencing this hardship just a few years after marriage is very tough. She knew the depths of loneliness and sorrow, but God’s grace comforted her along the way.
We see her devotion.
Anna descended from a family where there was devotion to God. Perhaps, in her grief, she saw the face of God and found purpose in spite of tragedy. She devoted her life to the service of the Lord. She departed not from the temple and served God with fastings and prayers. She gave the rest of her life to serving God and others. She drew very close to God because of the time she spent alone with God. In addition, she was a prophetess. God had given her the ability to foretell future events. We must remember that hardship is God’s gift to us so that we realize how powerful He is.
We see her declaration.
She was in the temple at the time the Lord Jesus was dedicated. She saw Simeon holding the Infant Jesus, and she was moved to say something for the Lord. First, she gave thanks likewise to the Lord. Anna thanked the Lord that He let her live to see this day. Like Simeon, she saw the consolation of Israel. Second, she gave a powerful witness of Who Jesus was. We are told that she “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” She told everyone that the Messiah was now here. Salvation has come to us! She spoke a word in due season to encourage others.
We see her depiction.
Anna was a descendant of the tribe of Asher. Moses made a prophecy concerning Asher in Deuteronomy 33:24-25: “And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” This prophecy was fulfilled in Anna’s life. She was fruitful, favorable, and blessed with fullness. She depicts a Spirit-filled and fruitful spiritual life. The Lord had all of Anna. She was a strong woman of faith. She abounded in the grace of the Lord.
There was one Anna. She had one life to live and she lived it in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. She encourages us that in the midst of hardship, God draws us near to Him so that we can experience His power working through us. Rejoice that Jesus came to be our Saviour, and be a fervent witness for Him.
Have a blessed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Peter 1-5