Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

1 October 2024

Reading From Matthew 1, Luke 2:1-38

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

 –Luke 2:36-38

     Simeon and the Prophet Anna are beautiful examples of what it means to eagerly expect the Lord to do something miraculous.  What is wonderful about God is that He never disappoints!  Both of these saints faithfully served Him their whole lives and now in their golden years their trust in Yahweh was rewarded when they were able to meet Immanuel in person, God with us. 

     It is vital to the healthy, balanced development of our faith to have brothers and sisters gathered around us from all ages.  “Gray hair is a crown of splendor.  It is attained by a righteous life.”[1]  Age does not necessarily guarantee maturity, but I do know that those who have allowed themselves to be discipled and shaped by the hands of the Lord over decades have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that needs to be shared with other generations. 

     We need to value people, their stories, and their contributions to the church and society regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background.  Anna was one of the first humans to recognize Jesus for who He truly is, women were the first evangelists who rushed to tell the rest of the church that Jesus had risen, and women were endowed with power from on high at the first outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”  We need to pay attention to them.

“Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for the people in my life who have lived life well and are willing to share the wisdom You’ve given them.  I pray that more and more of Your sons and daughters would be bold in pouring into the lives of people around them.  Give us the courage we need to encourage each other.  May we value one another no matter what we look like or where we come from or how much money we have or don’t have.  Open our spiritual eyes and ears to truth no matter who or what method You use to convey it.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

 –Exodus 15:20-21

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[1] Proverbs 16:31