Worshiping Night and Day

 

“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher.”

—Luke 2:36

Most of us find ourselves so wrapped up in the busy world we inhabit that it seems difficult to find time to worship. For many of us, weekends are the only large blocks of time that we have for ourselves. We use weekends to catch up on the activities that either we enjoy, or those activities that must be done. We are constantly pulled this way and that way. Seldom are we pulled toward the church and the worship of the God who loves us.

But not Anna. Having lost her husband after only seven years of marriage, she spent the rest of her unusually long life devoted to worship. Dr. Luke records her encounter with the Messiah in Luke 2:36-40:

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 worshiped 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.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Oh that we could have such devotion! Even as we go about our many tasks, we should consider these questions:

• Can we possibly foster within us a spirit of worship?
  
  
• Can we always be listening for the leading and guiding voice of the Holy Spirit?
  
  
• Can we have a word of testimony about the goodness of God ready on our lips?
  
  
• Can we be quick to tell others what God has done for us through His one and only Son, Jesus?
  
  

We should carefully examine our answer to those questions. Then, let us surely take time this day, and every day, to praise and worship the God who is the Lover of our Souls. And, when we have the opportunity each week to gather with our fellow believers, let us hasten to do so that we might join with like-minded Christians to worship the God who loves us with His unfailing, undying love.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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