17.1.25 Luke 2:36-40

17 January

Prepare

Father God, here I am, I open myself to you. Please reveal yourself to me today, grab my attention by your spirit. Amplify your word and supernaturally highlight the places you want me to find you. Take these moments, pockets of my day and help me grow in new levels of faith. 

Take a moment to be still. 

Read – Luke 2:36-40

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.

Reflect

Anna was a godly woman who served God with total devotion never leaving the temple.

Anna’s close walk with God was shown by her love for Jesus, and her desire to tell others about him. As a widow she knew pain and loss but had not become bitter.

As an elderly woman she had not lost hope. I think it was because she was a woman of worship and a woman of prayer.

Isn’t it beautiful? that Anna’s story is weaved into the gospel of Luke showing the care, value & purpose God has for the one grieving, the one without status or power and for the one waiting.   

Be 

Take a moment now to worship God.  

Psalm 145 gives us amazing words of praise. 

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made

Become 

We know it is good to be in the temple – the house of the Lord – the church – the presence of God.

Anna was in the temple – in God’s presence day and night.

How can we become people who are aware of and connect to the presence of God as often as we can?

What could that look like as a daily habit for you? 

Do

Ask God, what do you want me to notice today?

Who do you want me to see?

Help me to turn down the noise of the world around me so I can tune into your voice, hearing you call me Beloved.  

Practice:

Think about who God is to you?

What name for God - Shepherd, Lord, Father, Restorer, Bread of Life - you choose the name

What best describes your relationship with him right now?

What does this name mean to you?