Anna is widowed after only seven years of marriage. A devout woman, she dedicates her life to God, spending as much time as possible in the temple, fasting, praying, and worshiping him.
She is at least eighty-four years old when Mary and Joseph show up to consecrate Jesus. She recognizes him as the savior the people have been expecting for centuries. She thanks God she has lived long enough to see Jesus and then shares her excitement with everyone nearby.
After a lifetime of devotion to God, Anna receives her reward by seeing Jesus. How many other people were likewise as devout, but never got to meet baby Jesus?
God calls us to focus on him, but we may not receive any reward for our loyalty during our lifetime. Will we be faithful anyway?
[Discover more about Anna in Luke 2:36–38.]
Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.