Anna was an incredible servant of God.
Not because she was prominent,
not because she held authority,
and not because the world would have considered her important.
She was incredible because she was faithful.
Anna appears briefly in Scripture, but her life speaks volumes. Luke tells us she was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She had been married only seven years before becoming a widow, and she lived the rest of her long life devoted to God.
Luke 2:36–37 (NKJV) “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”
Anna’s story is marked by loss—but not by bitterness. She had every reason to withdraw, to grieve endlessly, or to grow hard with time. Instead, she chose to draw nearer to God. Her sorrow did not turn her away from the Lord; it anchored her to Him.
While others passed through the temple courts, Anna remained. Day after day. Year after year. She served God quietly with fasting and prayer, unseen by most, applauded by none.
Yet Heaven was watching.
Anna understood something eternal: seasons of waiting are not wasted when they are given to God. What looks uneventful on earth is often deeply productive in Heaven.
Luke 2:38 (NKJV)“And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Notice the timing. “That instant.” Decades of faithfulness led to one divine moment. Anna did not miss it. She recognized Jesus immediately—not because of a sign in the sky, but because her life had been tuned to God’s presence.
Anna did not hold the Child, as Simeon did. But she did something just as powerful—she gave thanks and told others. Her long season of prayer overflowed into testimony.
She spoke to those who were looking for redemption. In other words, she recognized faith in others because faith had been formed so deeply in her.
Anna, like Simeon, understood how short this life is in light of eternity. She lived by faith, trusting that God would be true to His promise and allow her to see the coming Savior. And though she received that promise in a single moment, her lifetime of faithfulness secured eternal rewards that will far outlast this life—treasures far greater than anything this world could ever offer.
She did not serve God for recognition.
She did not pray for applause.
She did not fast for attention.
She served because God was worthy.
Anna lived in the temple courts, but her reward was not the building—it was the Messiah. And when her moment came, she was ready.
Anna was an incredible servant of God. And that is more than enough.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Prayer: Father, teach us to live with eternity in view. Help us remain faithful in the long seasons of waiting, trusting that You are always true to Your promises. Form in us hearts like Anna’s—steadfast in prayer, anchored in Your presence, and ready to recognize Your work when the moment comes. May our lives reflect faithfulness that honors You, and may we value eternal reward more than anything this world can offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
