A Widow of about Eighty-Four Years - Luke 2:37

After Luke the physician wrote about “Simeon” who was in Jerusalem he shared how, “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 a husband seven years from her virginity;, and in chapter two and verse thirty-seven of his book Luke shared how Anna was, “a widow of about fourscore and four years” where we read:

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple,

but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

The verse reads, “And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, ...” Luke began with the words, “and she was a widow” or “and Anna had a husband who died” “of about fourscore and four years” which means “who was about eighty four years old”, “which departed not” or “who did not leave or go forth” “from the temple” which means “separate from the sacred worship place located in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how Anna was an “eighty-four” year old woman who was a “widow” who did not leave God's temple of worship in Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Luke continued with the words, “but served God” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and ministered, rendered religious service and homage to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “with fastings” or “by voluntarily abstaining from food” “and prayers night and day” which means “and seeking, asking, entreating and supplicating every sunrise to sunset and every sunset to sunrise”. Luke shared how Anna “served” God by refraining from eating as a religious practice and she “made orations” to Him every “night and day”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Anna “served” the Lord even while she was “older” and a “widow”. Anna found her purpose in life as a “prayer warrior” for the Kingdom of God. Though she had difficulties, she “constantly” poured out her heart to God and interceded for her people. God loves this kind of commitment to Him and His Son Jesus, and those minister to the Lord regardless of their life circumstances will discover an intimate relationship with Him that not only blesses Him, but also blesses His servant.

Next time Luke shares how Anna, “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".