"ANTICIPATION"

Well, we are getting down to the final countdown to Christmas 2014 aren't we?  As I write this, all the packages are wrapped for our children and grandchildren, but I was sweating it until this past Tuesday.  One of the main gifts for our grandson had not arrived yet. Now, I realize it wouldn't have been the end of the world, but I had ordered on December 5th and here it was 2 weeks later but still no package. I was tracking it on line and if this package could talk I am sure it would have quite a story to tell!  First it traveled South and then it headed North to Michigan.  But finally it arrived here this week all safe and sound. Each day, however, I anxiously looked on the porch as I anticipated its arrival!

You would think this would lead me straight into a discussion on the "Three Wisemen" wouldn't you?  But ever the rebel that I am, I wish to talk today about Anna.  "Anna?" "Who is Anna?"  She is really a part of the Christmas story as well.  She is spoken about in Luke 2:36-38.  Two short verses that say a whole lot about this extraordinary woman!  The bible says this about her:
                                     
                                "There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, 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 (Mary, Joseph, and Jesus)
                                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)

If there ever was a woman who was filled with anticipation, it was Anna!  Can you imagine just seven years of marriage and then her husband dies.  What does she do? She dedicates herself to worshiping night and day and all the while, fasting and praying for a Messiah to deliver her and her people!  God honored her prayer with an extraordinary encounter with the living God! Eight days after Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the temple to circumcise him, according to the law, and Anna's pray is finally answered at the age of 84!

Just shows you that God's timing is His!  As we anticipate Christ's return, it is easy for us to get discouraged.  The world is getting much worse and so sometimes our tendency is to loose hope. But listen to II Peter 3:3:  "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own desires.  They will say, "Where is this coming he promised?  Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."  Later on in 3:8 our answer comes "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

We must wait for the fullness of time!   Anna waited....84 years she waited!  Anticipate it!  Believe it! He's just over the horizon and He will be here soon!