7 Day Christmas Devotional for Women of Purpose

Topic: Courage to Keep Watching and Waiting

Text: Luke 2:36-38(NLT)

Key verse: When she approached Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, she began speaking out thanks to God, and she continued spreading the word about Jesus to all those who shared her hope for the rescue of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (Voice)

ANNA — Courage to Keep Watching and Waiting

 Courage is identified not just by what it does, but also by what it doesn’t do. Anna, the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, was named a prophet at a time when God had been silent for over 300 years. She became a widow after seven years of marriage. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. Anna was an elderly widow who had known deep loss and long years of waiting. Instead of withdrawing in disappointment or self-pity, she chose a life of Intercession, worship, and faithful expectation. Day after day, she remained in God’s presence, trusting that He would show up for his people. She never quit her duty post, because courage never quits!

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. Galatians 6:9(AMPC)

Anna: Courage to Keep Watching and Waiting

Luke 2:36-38

When Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to the temple, Anna recognised Him immediately. Her years of selfless travail gave her clarity on who the Saviour would be. Her courage was the courage of perseverance. She had waited many years, yet her hope had not grown dull.

Anna’s story reminds us that courage sometimes looks like staying faithful to your assignment, even if it’s unpopular, unnoticed, or unappreciated.

Her Courage

• Courage to believe that God hears and answers prayers, no matter how long it takes to manifest.
• Courage to play an unpopular role that truly mattered.
• Courage to testify to a future hope

Reflection

Courage starts with embracing God’s wisdom and aligning with it.

She believed that the redemption of Jerusalem would come through the birth of a baby, as spoken of by the prophets hundreds of years ago.

As you think of Christmas, remember the role women played in bringing to fruition the process of redeeming humanity back to God.

She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The Lord is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21(AMP)

What act of courage is God calling me to commit to?

Photo by Tamara Govedarovic on Unsplash