"She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to [Jesus’ family] 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.” (Luke 2:36-38)
Anna was an interesting example of someone who was prepared to give a crucial witness to an important event. From adulthood till she was 84, she dwelled in the temple worshipping, fasting and praying, awaiting the redemption of Israel. When she finally encountered the Christ child, her soul overflowed with delight. She knew it had happened: this was the fulfilment of her hope in the Lord.
Do you ever wonder if you’re being prepared for anything as dramatic as that? As a widow, Anna had poured out her heart and soul into seeking God in the temple. When we are much in prayer like Anna, our hearts and spiritual sensitivities are heightened and readily equipped to hear His voice and to receive guidance and affirmation for our lives. The safeguard is to have ourselves aligned with the revealed Word of God.
To set aside time for communion with the Lord is the desire of many of us, yet oftentimes, it turns out to be mere wishes and intentions rather than reality. However, sometimes the Lord may set us aside with time on our hand, be it through an illness or like in the case of Anna, at a special stage of our lives when our responsibilities are changed or reduced. The Lord always seeks to draw us personally to Himself.
Are we making provisions like Anna to learn to recognise His presence when He is near? Anna, an old lady in the New Testament, is a good model for us to follow in this respect. Let it be said of us that we are always seeking after the Lord in worship, prayer and fasting, yearning for His presence.
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