We are in the home stretch. Day 35 in the book “Through Their Eyes”. I just wanted to make a few more remarks about this wonderful woman of God. Anna was old. We know that she had spent the last 84 years in the temple day in and day out prophesying and praying and fasting. When she bowed on her knees, maybe she didn’t pop up quite as fast as she did in her 30’s. Maybe her energy level wasn’t what it was when she was 40. I do not know. I can only base my knowledge on how my body reacts when I sit on the ground with my grandsons. I have to roll over, get on all fours and push off, just so I can find myself on my feet. I do believe there were multiple times throughout her day when Anna would bend the knee to pray. She was just that type of prayer warrior. Some Bible scholars place her age at over 100. Can you imagine taking a knee at 100 years of age? I’m praying for 20 more good years of knee bending.
On that note, I’ve searched the verses. I don’t see any verse that says of Anna that she was slowing down any. Quite the opposite really. Day in and day out she prophesied and proclaimed the promised Messiah. She stood in the Temple courts and witnessed to all who entered. The Amplified version said she served and worshiped. No one served this elderly lady. She served them. She served God.
Then, when she came upon her long awaited Messiah, she began praising and thanking God. She spoke over and over again to those who were also looking for Jerusalem’s deliverance and redemption.
Her energy level was not running low. In fact I believe the more she worshiped the more energetic she became.
One of the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples and friends was, “God therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
I agree, it sounds daunting doesn’t it. Some days I just don’t have the energy nor the inclination to go.
But… I have been given everything I need to go. I have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. I have been given His Divine Power. I have His Word. According to 2 Peter 1:3 it is through our knowledge of Jesus that we can attain this desire to tell others of His Great love.
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. but do this with gentleness and respect,” Be prepared. Anna was prepared. She had revered God’s Promise in her heart for a long time. She was ready to tell others that God had kept His Promises. She was prayed up and studied up. She had made herself available to God, so at the time God had appointed, she was there to witness God’s redemption.
The end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 brought many fulfilled promises to Kevin and I. My faith muscle grew 10,000 x’s 10,000. God did not let one promise He had made to us fall void. God is faithful. He gives us what we need to obey His commands. God even gives us the desire and the want to, the passion and the energy level to go and make disciples.
How can you be ready to tell people about the hope you have in Jesus Christ?
How can you be sensitive to God’s appointments?
How was Anna ready for God’s divine appointment?
Have you ever had a moment when you knew God had placed you here?
Pray and ask God for an opportunity everyday to share His word with someone. When I do this and I pay attention God always puts someone in my path to share. But you have to be prepared to share some kind of testimony. It doesn’t have to be your life story or even your salvation experience, each situation is different but you must be able to share something about God that will make a difference in that person’s life. God will give you the words. I dare you to start praying everyday for God to put some person in your life that you can share a testimony with because if you do He will.