12. THE LORD HAS RECORDED EXAMPLES OF FAITHFUL WIDOWS

12.1. A WIDOW WHO LIVED FOR CHRIST'S COMING

Luke 2:36-37 "And 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 an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ 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."

Anna the prophetess, in her widowhood challenges and inspires widows by her example. The concise account of Anna in Luke's gospel highlights the whole subject of godly widows, deserving detailed consideration.

LIVING FOR HIS COMING (Luke 2:36-38 ). Anna lived in expectancy of the first advent, her faith affected her behaviour and service. There are believing widows today who, like Anna, are living in expectancy , they await the returning Lord. They are:-

Titus 2:13 "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

Anna witnessed the Lord's first coming in grace to bring salvation, available to all by faith (Titus 2:11 ). Godly widows shine out the purposes of Christ's giving Himself (Titus 2:14 ). Anticipating daily the dazzling splendour of His appearing, they are zealously occupied with all that is good. Anna's example should inspire believing widows to live for His coming.

Luke 2:36 "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: ..."

In the Old Testament there are women said to be prophetesses, that is, women who were spokeswomen for God. Miriam (Exodus 15:20 ). Deborah (Judges 4:4 ). Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22 ). Isaiah's wife (Isaiah 8:3 ).

In Luke's gospel it is recorded that Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly spoke confirmation of the Holy Spirit to Mary (Luke 1:41-45 ). Mary the mother of Jesus prophesied in the Spirit (the Magnificat) (Luke 1:46-55 ).

Anna was known to speak for God. Philip the evangelist is said to have been blessed with four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9 ). As a prophetess Anna would speak wisdom and knowledge from God, strengthening and building up and comforting God's people. (1 Corinthians 14:3 ).

The Church is rich with Spirit-filled women, among them, widows who are channels of the manifestation of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7 ). Prophecy pouring out of hearts with genuine love for others, imparts spontaneous refreshment, that invigorates the spiritual life of the Church. Anna, like all true prophets, majored on what the Holy Spirit predicted concerning Christ (1 Peter 1:11 ). Christ- centred prophecy produces proclaimers. The aged Anna was saturated with the Scriptures and with the Holy Spirit. She knew what God was about to do, and waited for Him to do it. Her sensitivity recognised what He had done, joining Simeon in praise for the arrival of "the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25,38 ).

Anna has set a high standard for those who would take her as their example of prophetic serving, those who truly emulate her are of great value to the Lord's people.

Luke 2:36 "... she was of a great age, [and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;]"

Greatly advanced in years, Anna was known as "the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Aser" (Aser, one of the northern tribes. Her father's name meant "vision of God." There is no doubt that the vision that gripped and directed Anna's life was a clear vision of God. Her passion was serving God. She did not come from a prominent tribe (Aser) but her fragrant example of devotion to God is forever recorded.

A life filled with the vision of God, has lasting effects on people, and reward that is eternal. Anna lived with her husband for seven years and remained a widow for the rest of her days. The Greek could mean that when she saw Jesus she was eighty four years old, or that she had been a widow for that period. Should the latter be intended she must have been over one hundred. She had waited for the coming of Christ patiently, serving persistently, honourably, gladly, fully, over the long years.

Anna serving God as a widow of great age, suggests some interesting points:-

	Great age does not end usefulness.
	Aged widows can keep focussed by serving God.
	When the old have a self-denying life-style it can contribute to health.
	Old widows are able to demonstrate that to truly live is to live to God.
	Expectation infuses with vitality, even those of great age.
	Greatly aged widows see the fulfilment of God's prophetic promises.
	Godly maturity gives credibility to serving widows.
	Godly widows serve the body of Christ with the consoling, comfort of spiritual motherhood.
	Those greatly advanced in years greet each new day as a privileged opportunity to do the Lord's will.

Luke 2:37 "And she was a widow ..."

She was a widow worthy of honour, the support of the sanctuary and the Lord's people, with whom she had a special relationship, who, like her, were eagerly waiting for "the first advent." Aged Anna put a face to Paul's instructions to Timothy:

1 Timothy 5:3,5 "Honour widows that are widows indeed. ⁵ Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."

Young Anna, widowed, could have considered the comfort and security of re-marriage, but chose to devote herself wholly to God. She kept her decision through her long widowhood. She proved that devotion to the Lord was satisfying, and became sweeter as the days passed by. Anna's Ideal devotion was that she set herself apart to God. The psalmist meant the same when he said, "I am holy" (Psalm 86:2 ). "I am set apart for Your use." So he could boldly ask God to secure what was his property, and declare as the possession of God, he was the possessor of God, his trust was based on God being personally his God.

Anna could say, "You are mine and I am Yours, I am safe and supplied for You to use." Anna had special ideas of herself being a widow set apart to God:-

	It included making time for God her priority.
	It included attending constantly to what God wanted.
	It included following after God in every direction that He took.
	It included watchfulness in maintaining her relationship.
	It included tender regard for His people.
	It included making God the centre of her love.
	It included total trust in His faithful providing for her.

Luke 2:37 "... which departed not from the temple, ..."

Some take the meaning of this statement to be that Anna had a room in the temple in which she lodged. Others hold to the understanding that she was constant in attendance at all the activities of the temple. The phrase shows that Anna purposed to live in the presence of God. For her to best fulfill her heart's desire she was led to presence herself at the temple, the Father's house. As a widow, she encourages widows to live their whole lives in the presence of God.

God's dwelling place on earth is no longer a building of dead stone. The Lord's spiritual house is made up of "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16 ). Christ's perfect sacrifice, appropriated by faith, makes it possible for God to dwell within us. Believers can, and do, experience the glory of the Lord's special presence in the gatherings of the Lord's people (Matthew 18:19 ). There are excellent reasons why the Lord's people should not forsake coming together in the Lord's name. Believers are to meet together to show consideration for one another. It is meeting to share in exhortation that stirs up love for the Lord, that will be seen in the zealous doing of good works.

Meet as a centre of God's kingdom presence in the community. Take seriously the opportunity to meet together. The day of the Lord is nearing, the Lord Himself is drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 4:5 ).

Anna's firm desire was to live in the full consciousness of the Lord's presence. She wanted a face to face awareness of ministering to the Lord. She knew the intimacy of His presence to the place of incalculable, abundant blessing. Here are listed some of the blessings of His presence which Anna experienced:-

	Success to her serving
	Prosperity to her giving
	Fruitfulness to her word-sowing
	Living water to quench her thirsting
	Counsel for her deciding
	Checks for her directing
	Justice in response to her pleading
	Favour in all her dealings
	Partnership in her ministering
	Persistent vindicating of her
	Inner riches amid her trials of needing
	Absorption to keep her from straying
	His joy for her strengthening
	Healing for her whole being
	Expectation for her enduring

Follow her example into incredible blessing.