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Day Sixteen – Responding to loss

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Welcome to your daily Bible 2020 reflection. Over this series we’ll be taking time to read, speak, pray and share God’s word.

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Luke 2:36-38

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (NIV UK)

Are our losses drawing us closer to God?

The portrait sketched by Luke of Anna is a bleak one: widowed after only seven years of marriage, she was now in her old age. Yet she comes across not as lonely, or sad, or bitter. Instead, we have an astonishing portrait of someone whose life is marked by worship and an incredible attentiveness to the voice of God. 

A permanent resident in the presence of God – never leaving the temple – Anna’s days were full of worship, both day and night. Her prophetic ministry was fuelled by an urgent seeking after God, fasting and praying. Anna’s worship leads her, like Simeon, to encounter Jesus. Like Simeon, she recognises in the child Jesus the promises of God being fulfilled. Thankfulness to God and testifying about Jesus close off Luke’s description. 

Whether we are passing through a period of abundance or loss, Anna’s is an example to emulate: seeking the presence of God, worshipping day and night, urgently listening for his voice, responding to the Spirit’s leading, giving thanks to God, and telling others about Jesus. What would change in our lives – and in the lives of those we encounter today – if such things characterised our response to our losses?

PRAYER

Father, thank you that all good gifts come from you. You are a good God, faithful to us in times of plenty and in times of need. Thank you for the encouragement of your word in the example of Anna. We pray that in our moments of abundance and in our loss, our lives might constantly be orientated towards you. Amen

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