A Woman After God’s Heart.

This article is to encourage women and celebrate the amazing role they place in society. I pray that as you read this article, you will become known as a woman who partnered with God to birth heaven on earth.

Our case study is Anna the Prophetess. Why is she our reference point? What can we learn from her life?

Luke 2:36-38 KJV

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

What does it mean to be a woman after God’s own heart?

It means to have likes and dislikes like God’s own. It means the God connection.

A woman after God’s own heart is someone in compliance with God’s own intent, will, or inclination. She is "someone that can agree with God to do His will.

Anna the prophetess was very old. Even at this very old age, she was strong physically and could still transport herself to the temple. She was in the centre of what God was doing on earth at that time. She was very relevant in the most important moment on earth which was the transition from the old system of worship to the new. Age is no barrier in the kingdom of God. For example, Mary the mother of Jesus was a very young woman when she yielded herself to do the will of God to be the channel through which Jesus Christ our Saviour came into the earth. Therefore, whatever your age young or old, at whatever point in life, women can still be relevant in God’s kingdom. Even scripture declares that even in our old age we will be bearing fruits in the courts of our God. (Ps92:14)

Let’s look at some examples of how Anna became a woman after God’s own heart.

God needed to send Jesus Christ to the earth. Anna the Prophetess partnered with God in the place of prayers thereby establishing her relevance in the body of Christ. This act earned her the title “Prophetess.” The relevance of a women in the household of God does not have to be in public space. Anna was praying in secret. She was faithful in that assignment. She was dependable and stood with God for several years in the same assignment until the answer to her prayers was made public. Again, her prayers were not about her needs. She was praying for the kingdom of God to come on earth. She was very selfless and sacrifices her all to see the kingdom of God come. These and some other attributes of Anna was what turned her into an eternal reference point for women in the kingdom of God.

How to become a woman after God’s own heart?

1. Be willing to partner with God in whatever role you have been assigned. Establish your relevance in the office you have been called. Scripture tells us that any person called by God was given a gift. I Corinthians 12:7 NKJV “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” For example, Anna was a custodian of the temple. A prophetess whose advanced age and honourable behaviour usher in the new covenant. She served God not man. She partnered with God to usher in heaven on earth. In these last days, there is a lot that God wants to do on earth, and He is seeking for woman after his own heart, women who will do His will. Just like some women found in Luke 8:2-3 KJV “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him (Jesus) of their substance.”

These women served God with their substance, time, money, efforts, initiatives, wisdom etc. They served with no thought of reward.

Also, in the book of Judges, a woman named Deborah became a Judge in Israel. She was called a mother- in-Israel. She was a confident, strong, and determined woman who through her influence powered by God brought deliverance to the people of Israel in her time. Women like Deborah went to war at the expense of their life and family to deliver the children of Israel from Sisera oppression of the Israelites.

Judges 4:9 NLT,

“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honour in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So, Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.”