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.