Anna: A Life of Waiting, A Moment of Glory

 

Let’s talk about Anna. You may not hear her name as much as some of the other biblical figures, but trust me, she’s a woman worth remembering. If I told you her story, you might think it’s a bit short, a little overlooked. Let me tell you, Anna was no ordinary woman. This lady? She was a prophetess, a prophētis (Greek: προφήτις, one who speaks God’s message). One of the few women in Scripture who was actually given that title. And in the brief moments we get to learn about her, you can’t help but feel that she’s someone who has been waiting, waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

We first meet Anna in the Gospel of Luke 2:36-38. And it’s the perfect place for her story, right in the middle of the beautiful moment when Mary and Joseph bring baby Jesus to the temple to fulfill the Law (Luke 2:22). That’s where Anna’s life intersects with the Savior’s story, and it’s no accident.

A little about Anna: she was from the tribe of Asher (Asher, אָשֵׁר), one of the twelve tribes of Israel (B’nei Yisra’el). The tribe of Asher’s name literally means “happy” or “blessed,” which is deeply symbolic in Anna’s life. Though she endured loss and long years of waiting, her life radiated the quiet joy that comes from trusting God. Her father’s name was Phanuel (Panu’el, פָּנוּאֵל), which means “Face of God.” It’s almost as if God Himself was calling her from the very beginning, marking her life with the idea of seeing His face (panim, פָּנִים), of waiting for the moment when she would come face-to-face with the promises He had made. Her whole existence pointed toward that sacred moment. And she waited.

She waited patiently, 84 years, to be exact (Luke 2:36). That number itself speaks volumes. In Hebrew thought, the number 8 often signifies a new beginning, resurrection, or covenant fulfillment, and 4 represents the world, completeness, the structure of creation. Living 84 years was not just a long life; it was a life set apart, complete in devotion and anticipation, bridging God’s promises to His people.

Anna was a widow (almah, עַלְמָה in the sense of a woman whose husband had passed), married for seven years and then alone (Luke 2:36). Imagine the grief she must have felt when her husband passed. But somehow, Anna didn’t let that define her. She didn’t let it stop her. For all those years, she stayed at the temple, worshiping (shachah, שָׁחָה, to bow down or prostrate oneself), fasting (tzom, צום), praying (tefillah, תְּפִלָּה), day and night, waiting on God (Luke 2:37). She pressed in day after day, doing the hard work of devotion and patience. That’s faith in action, the kind of faith that doesn’t give up even when waiting feels endless.

And it’s significant that she spent her years in the temple because widows in Israel were seen as vulnerable but also as figures of prophetic devotion (navi’ah, נְבִיאָה). Anna represents the faithful remnant, the ones who pray, fast, and watch, holding the spiritual line until God’s promises are fulfilled. Her devotion was both personal and national; she was praying not only for herself but for the redemption of Israel.

And then, that day. That beautiful day when everything changed.

Mary and Joseph arrive in the temple, bringing Jesus, the baby, to fulfill the law of the Lord (Torah, תּוֹרָה, Luke 2:22). And in that moment, Anna’s waiting is over. She sees the Messiah (Mashiach, מָשִׁיחַ). She recognizes Him instantly. She doesn’t need anyone to tell her. This baby, this small, helpless child, is the One promised to Israel. The One she had waited for her entire life. And what does she do? She doesn’t keep it to herself. She thanks God right there on the spot (Hallelujah!, הַלְּלוּיָהּ). She begins telling everyone around her that the Redeemer has come (Luke 2:38). I can just picture her, eyes shining with joy, pointing to Jesus, telling anyone who would listen, “He’s here. He’s finally here!”

Think about that. This woman had lived through so much. Years of loss, years of loneliness. And yet, there she was, in the temple, living out her faith, waiting. And when the time came, when God’s promises were fulfilled, she didn’t waste a second. She didn’t wait for someone to tell her what to do. She acted. She gave thanks. She shared the good news. She was living proof that sometimes the waiting is worth it.

Anna’s story teaches us what it looks like to hold on. To wait on God, even when it feels like the answer isn’t coming. She didn’t let her old age, her widowhood, or years of unanswered longing stop her from being devoted to God. She stayed planted in the temple, praying, fasting, trusting. And when the answer came, she was ready. She recognized the Savior when He walked right by her, a tiny baby in the arms of a humble couple (Luke 2:38).

Her story challenges us. Waiting is hard. We get impatient, discouraged, and sometimes we wonder if our prayers will ever be answered. But Anna’s life says, “Hang in there. God is faithful. He will come through” (Hebrews 10:23).

And what about us today? Are we still waiting? Perhaps we’ve been waiting for a promise, for a prayer to be answered. Anna shows us how to wait well. She didn’t give up. She didn’t stop seeking God. She stayed faithful, and when God’s time came, she got to be one of the first to see His promises come to life (Luke 2:38).

So the next time you feel stuck in a season of waiting, whether for breakthrough, healing, or something else, think about Anna. Let her story encourage you to stay faithful. Keep praying. Keep believing. God knows when to move, and when He does, it will be worth every moment of waiting.

 

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