HOPE: THE ANCHOR THAT HOLDS

“[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil.”—Hebrews 6:19

 

Although I do not have any experience with sailing, ships, boating or the anchor that is used to hold them in place, I do have some experience with anchors that hold buildings in place during storms with high winds.  For many years, we lived in southwestern Kansas where there is rarely a day that the wind does not blow.  As my friends in Kansas can attest too, there are times that wind storms are liken to a gale force that will move anything that is not anchored down. 

 

The apostle Paul wrote in Acts 27 about his experience of a terrible storm that seemed like it would take his life and all the men who traveled with him.  However during this terrible experience, the angel of God appeared to Paul and told him that neither he nor any of his traveling companions would die. Although the circumstances appeared that they would all perish, Paul was so confident in His Lord that he ate food and encouraged all of his travel companions to eat.  You see they had been fasting for three weeks, but Paul encouraged them with Hope and Direction; he told them to eat so that they would not be physically weak.  Seeing Paul eat, and hearing his encouraging words his companions ate.  In other words, they changed their attitudes—how they thought about the trouble they were in.  I believe that hope began to come alive in their hearts.

 

Anchors symbolized hope in Greek secular world.   The Greek word for hope, agkura, is used by the writer as vivid picture of that which supports and keeps one steadfast in the midst of waves of doubt or stormy trials.  The anchor was an ancient Christian symbol for safety, security, and hope.  If you fear, if you doubt, place all your trust in Christ: the "Anchor" who holds forever.

 

The anchor is out of sight, but it holds and that is what matters. Within the veil, in our Scripture for today, is the unseen, eternal reality of the heavenly world.  A ship’s anchor goes down to the ocean; the Christian’s anchor goes up into the heavenly sanctuary and "moors" us to God Himself.  We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll.

 

Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in God’s very Presence behind the veil where Christ ever lives to make intercession for the Saints according to the will of God.  “Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

 

What an anchor is to a vessel in its tossing’s, so hope is to us in our times of trial, difficulty and stress.  Put your faith in the Blessed Hope—Jesus he will hold you steadfast and secure.

 

Prayer—Father I put my hope and trust in You and I ask You to help me to never loose sight that my anchor is held firmly and securely in Jesus Christ, in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

BE A LIVING MESSAGE OF HOPE

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it for it was founded on the rock.”—Luke 6:47-48

 

God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:50-51).  Hebrews 12:26 describes a time still future when the earth will undergo a similar display of His power and presence.

 

Likewise in our present day, He often lets the foundations of our world be shaken—whether political alliances, financial systems, or other forms of human security.   Then we can see the flimsiness of the structures on which we have based our pride and hopes.   Individual lives are also often shaken when a family experiences crisis or a marriage begins to unravel.   If we have built on the fragile cornerstones of human wisdom, pride, and conditional love, things may look good for a while, but a weak foundation causes collapse when storms hit.

 

While adversity affects everyone, we can have peace in knowing that God always has a greater purpose when He allows upheaval and crisis in our world.  Hard times can also shake believers out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in ourselves or the temporary structures of this world.  There is only one secure firm foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil.  No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.

 

It is not enough for believers to simply enjoy the security of knowing that our "house" is built on a solid foundation. As God's ambassadors on earth, we have a responsibility to extend His compassion to people whose lives are crumbling.  Be a living message of hope to those around you today so that they too can stand on a firm foundation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for the times that I have panic in the midst of a crisis in my life and have trusted myself and others for the answer, and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord, today with Your help I purpose in my heart to stand firm on the foundation of our relationship, knowing that You will never leave nor forsake me, and that You are always helping me even when I cannot see it in the natural realm, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

 

YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT IN GOD’S PLAN

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:11

 

The word, bestow, means to present something, especially something valuable or undeserved to somebody.   What amazing love we see bestowed to the shepherds when the angel came and talked with them.  The shepherds were the lowest in society had there been a caste system in those days.  No one talked to them they slept with animals.  And yet, God chose these people to receive vital information from an angelic being with a specific message.  God came and talked to people who were significant in His plan signaling to the world that no one is left out and that hope had come unto the world—Christ the Savior!  “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, and angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  ‘For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the lord has made know to us.’  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:8-20).

 

The angel announced to the shepherds that Christ had come for all people (v. 10).  For the first time everyone had a chance for joy, regardless of family back ground, how much money a person had, gender, race or any number of other stigmas—it is for everyone.  Have you taken up His offer for this joy?

 

God came down in flesh as a baby (Matthew 1:23).  How many kings have given up their throne?  How many kings have chosen to entrust themselves to a teenage mother?  This gift of Jesus Christ was truly bestowed upon us.

 

This story is now entrusted to us, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely know the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And tall those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (v. 17-18).   “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

 

Christ Tomlin’s song Amazing Love describes what it means to accept God’s greatest gift to humankind—Jesus.

Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

You are my King
Jesus You are my King

 Christians all over the world are celebrating the birth of Christ.  I encourage you no matter what traditions that you may or may not have take time to mediate on what it means to have the greatest gift—Jesus living inside of you.  If you have not already accepted Christ as your Savior click on the link below to learn more. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You bestowed Your gift Jesus Christ to the world.  Today I purpose in my heart to draw closer to Him and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

WHEN YOU ARE SIDE-SWIPED BY LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES, TURN TO GOD

“I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.”—Psalm 3:4

 

Less than an hour after my husband had left for work, I received a profound telephone call.  My husband’s small Toyota pick-up truck had been broad-sided by a train.  My heart seemed to turn over on the inside of me.  As my mind tried to comprehend what I had been told, I hardly recognized that it was my husband who was talking to me.  He was asking me to come and pick him up, but my mind and my mouth kept asking if he was physically alright.  It was a few minutes before my mind could comprehend that indeed he was alright and that I needed to get into the car and go get him.  During the forty minute drive, I began praising the Lord for preserving his life, and restoring all that the enemy meant for our harm.  When I reached my husband and saw what was left of his small pick-up truck, I was speechless.  By looking at the vehicle, it seemed impossible that anyone could walk away from that devastation.  However, God preserved his life.  When questioning my husband about what had happened, He said that he did not see or hear the train as he began to cross the tracks.  When he felt the impact and the train began pushing he truck down the track, he began to say, “I will not be afraid of sudden terror.”  Proverbs 3:25-26 says, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” 

 

At the very moment that my husband was side-swiped by life’s circumstances, he cried out to God for help.  The Lord heard his cry for help and delivered him from all his troubles.

 

In the Bible, crying out refers to speaking audibly with great emotion concerning an urgent need.  God invites us to use this form of prayer to communicate that we desperately need his mercy.

 

It takes both faith and humility to share our heart’s concern aloud.  Crying out is a way for God’s children to express trust in the Lord’s ability and willingness to help.  By calling upon Him, with such urgency, we also lay down our pride and any attitude of self-sufficiency.

 

The Word of God assures us that our Father hears our cries and responds.  When we call aloud for help in Jesus’ name, we invite His power into the situation.  Remember that there is just strength in speaking His name.  We can always count on His comfort and presence, which enable us to live with hope and peace.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are an ever present Help in time of trouble, and that I can cry out to You and You will hear my cry and deliver me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.