He Was Filled With Wisdom, And The

Grace Of God Was On Him

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them 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.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Luke 2:36-40

Anna was a prophetess at the time of Jesus’ birth, and her circumstances were hard. Widowed early and possibly childless, she may have felt purposeless and destitute. But her focus was on God and serving Him. She was yearning for the Messiah, but in the meantime she was busy about God’s business praying, fasting, and teaching others all that she had learned from Him.

Finally the day arrived when she – now in her eighties – saw the infant Messiah in his young mother’s arms. All her patient waiting was worthwhile. Her heart sang with joy as she praised God and then passed the glad news on to others.

It’s hard to see both God’s plan and our part.

But their intersection is the best place to be.

Our Daily Bread – March 25, 2015