Never Leaving the Temple

For many of us, the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders seems to interfere with our service to the Lord. We feel we are being held captive when we can’t teach, lead, minister, or fellowship with one another. I believe we can learn from the prophetess Anna. On the occasion of Jesus’ circumcision, he was presented in the temple, “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 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” (Luke 2:36-38 NIV). Anna did not leave the temple for 60-plus years…certainly we can be in home lock-down for a few months.