Draw Close to God

Family members and friends cannot, of course, fill the void left by the death of a mate.  For this reason it is important for the bereaved person to draw especially close to God to "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation."  (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4)  Consider the example of Anna, a devout widow who was 84 years old at the time of Jesus' birth.

When Anna's husband died after they had been married just seven years, she turned to Jehovah for comfort. "[She] was never missing from the temple, rendering sacred service night and day with fastings and supplications."  (Luke 2:36, 37) Did Jehovah respond to Anna's godly devotion?  Yes! He showed his love for her in a very special way by allowing her to see the baby who would grow up to be the Savior of the world.  How this thrilled and comforted Anna!  Clearly, she experienced the truth of Psalm 37:4:  "Take exquisite delight in Jehovah, and he will give you the requests of your heart."

Next time: God Works Through Fellow Christians

The Watchtower, 2001