I can think of nothing that threatens my hope more than the silence of God—endless waiting with not so much as a whisper from the One on whom my expectation hangs. At least, that is how I oft perceive it.

Anna was at least 84 years old when we meet her; a prophetess at a time when no prophets were mentioned. Scripture gives her just three verses, but they say enough. The daughter of Penuel from the “lost” tribe of Asher, Anna was anything but lost. Anna was a seeker, at the tail-end of four centuries of celestial silence.

Luke tells us that Anna was a widow. Married young, Anna was tragically only given seven short years with her husband.

Seven.

Widowed in her early twenties and left all alone, Anna could have easily doubted God’s goodness. She could’ve become bitter. Or reclusive. Or promiscuous. Or a vast number of other responses to tragedy we’ve seen. But not this woman of God. Decade after decade after decade, her response was to remain faithful.

And hopeful.

Luke says she did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

A widow’s life was anything but easy in the first century. Anna likely struggled with the same grief, fear, financial instability, loneliness, vulnerability and discouragement many widows face today. Possibly even more so. But Anna had steadfast faith in the promise of God.

When the Jews became despondent at His apparent silence, she earnestly sought His voice.

When Roman oppression was at its strongest, she pressed into her calling.

When spiritual darkness blinded the eyes of the religious, her eyes of faith saw the face of God.

Hope understands, even in the silence, that God is working.

Hope trusts, even in the waiting, that His timing is perfect.

Hope believes, even in the suffering, that His ways are best.

Hope sees what can’t be seen and anchors itself in the faithfulness of God.

Hope knows He keeps His promises.

Anna was there when Joseph and Mary brought the newborn Messiah to the Temple. She didn’t hear Jesus preach or see him perform miracles, yet she knew Him. She recognized this answer to a lifetime of fasting and prayers. The God she conversed with for 84 years was now God-in-flesh, nestled in His mother’s arms.

Anna’s faith had become sight; her steadfast hope, now Living Hope.

After she gave praise to the Father for the gift of the Son, Luke says Anna “spake of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (2:38.) All.

Oh, sweet Anna, whose name means “grace,” what grace you’ve shown and what grace you received! May God grow in me your patient perseverance and steadfast faith, and may I also be so dedicated to my calling that I unwaveringly speak of this Living Hope to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see—for as long as I have breath.

For I, too, have seen Him!

Into the silence,
Into the waiting,
Into the suffering,

Hope has come; His name is Jesus.