DEVOTION ~ FAITHFUL WITNESSING

Theme: Faithful Witnessing 

Text: Luke 2:36-38

36 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; 37 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. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Yesterday, we looked at Simeon who happened to be promised life to see the birth of Christ and having been led by the Holy Spirit came to the temple just when Jesus was to be dedicated. Another special person at that dedication was Anna the prophetess. There's a lot to learn from her character too.

No one ever dreams of loosing a partner so soon after marriage. Unfortunately Anna became a widow seven years after marriage. That's really traumatizing but she did what will least be expected of her. Now let's discuss some issues of life. How do you respond to a lost; be it husband, wife, children, job, friends, family members, money, business, investment, property, just name it? Most people often become very angry with God and turn away from Him. That's wrong to do for you need God even more.  Anna dedicated her entire life to served God for eighty-four years. 

She witnessed to others faithfully. She never departed from the temple and served God with fasting and prayers night and day. Dear beloved in the Lord, are you able to touch lives even in your agony? Can you seek the well being of others by fasting and praying for them even when times are hard? You must not only fast and pray for others when all is well with you. You're to intercede continually and reach out to souls that are perishing. A local Ghanaian song says, "Whether rain or shine, hungry or satisfied, you're called out to worship and proclaim Christ to the world." This is being faithful with God irrespective of the circumstances that surround you. 

Your service must be done in humility. Anna worshiped the Lord with thanksgiving and proclaim God passionately so as to encourage those who are discouraged, to strengthen the weak and to redirect those going off track back to God's promises. Dear beloved in the Lord, Christ has given you a mandate to proclaim Him to the world. What excuses are you giving yourself for not carrying out this assignment faithfully? Let go of your excuses and do what Anna did in her days. A soul in your family, community, nation and the world is desiring to hear you say something about the GOD you serve. Drop your excuses and go out there and rescue a soul.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for awakening my passion to carryout the Great Commission. I pray You forgive me for declining the call to reach out to others in the past. I ask the Holy Spirit empowers me to witness faithfully until You call me home in Jesus' name. AMEN!