She (Anna) never left the temple but worshiped night and day,
fasting and praying. Coming up to them (Mary and Joseph) at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child [Jesus] to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36–38 NIV
Lord Jesus, though you’re eternal, by the calendar of your incarnation, you were just eight days old when Anna met you in the temple. Her life was marked with pain, but her heart was filled with hope. She worshipped and waited for decades—anticipating the Messiah’s birth, the fullness of redemption, and the end of all evil.
That day dawned with your birth, Jesus, and what a redemption you secured for us. By your life, death, and resurrection, every promise God made will be fulfilled. Your last words on the cross, “It is finished,” are our forever words of peace, joy, and hope.
There’s still a lot we don’t understand about life in our broken world—stuff we don’t like at all. But this we do know, and celebrate with great joy. Right now our Father loves us as much as he loves you. We are objects of his affection, children of his delight, and do all of life under his Fatherly sovereignty.
Also, sickness, suffering and sorrow have unbreakable expiration dates. Heartache, loss, and pain don’t get the last word. You do, Jesus. You promise sufficient grace for now, not answers to every question or the resolution of all issues.
But one Day—one blessed Day we will say with uncontrollable joy, “Oh, that’s what you were up to, when I felt more pain than your presence.” Anna lived with that kind of hope. We want to as well, Jesus.
Until then, Jesus, may the gospel free us to worship God more whole-heartedly, passionately, and tenaciously, like Anna. Free us to accept Abba’s timetable for all things. So very Amen we pray, in your most wonderful and merciful name.