Some people, despite life’s many trials, never stop hoping in God. People like Anna, an elderly prophetess described in Luke’s account of the nativity as one whose life, though long, had not been easy. [Luke 2:36-38]
Almost certainly married when still a young woman, her husband had died after only seven years of marriage, meaning that, by the time we meet Anna, now aged eighty-four, she may well have been a widow for very nearly half a century.
And yet, despite having lived what must have been an extraordinarily difficult life, she nonetheless continued to worship the God to whom she prayed both day and night. And because of her constant devotion – which kept her always in the place of praise – she, like Simeon, was at the temple when Jesus was presented there by his parents, Mary and Joseph, just forty days after his birth. [Leviticus 12; Luke 2:22-24]
And on seeing the one for whom she had long been praying, the Messiah who had been promised hundreds of years previously, she gave thanks to God.
But more than merely expressing her gratitude, Anna did what all good prophets and prophetesses do – she pointed others to Jesus – the one who deserves, not only her thanks and praise, but ours as well.
And so Anna spoke of the child for whom all who sought redemption were waiting. And she spoke so that others could look forward with the same certainty that she did – to the day when not only will we be fully redeemed, but, because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, the whole of creation will be too. [Romans 8:18-22]
For that day that we all so long for is surely coming: when widows and those who mourn will be a thing of the past; when all the wrong that has gone before – and still sadly continues on today – will be forgotten; when every tear is wiped away, death will be no more, and the inexpressible joy that we currently glimpse only a little of will finally be fully realised.
In this time of waiting there is, therefore, every reason for us, like Anna, to persevere in prayer.
For the God who heard her prayers will surely hear ours as well. And though we may not always know quite what to pray, the Holy Spirit will take our sometimes anguished inner groans and present them to our Heavenly Father who does know – not just what’s best to do, but just how best to do it. [Romans 8:26]
Furthermore, because the sufferings of today aren’t worth comparing with the glory that will one day be revealed [Romans 8:18], we can, like Anna, wait, not only with confidence in the future – but with patience too. [Romans 8:24–25]
For just as long – or as short – as it takes.
To read Day 14 from 2023, click here
To read Day 14 from 2023, click here
Some musings 