An Anchor for the Soul

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

In the ancient Mediterranean world, an anchor was a popular image. It was a symbol of safety and steadiness. Perhaps that’s why the writer of Hebrews used it, to remind us of our hope that is secure in any storm. 

Hope is comforting to the soul. It is in stark contrast to hopelessness - that overwhelming and depressing feeling that your situation cannot be resolved. Hopelessness is a dark tunnel going nowhere. 

The writer of Proverbs knew this only too well. He wrote, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” [Proverbs 13.12]. The word “sick” here, is interesting. It’s the Hebrew word, which means, weak. It’s the same word used by Samson when he told Delilah that if she were to cut off his hair, he would be “sick — weak!”

So, it’s great to know that as Christ followers, we have a hope that anchors the soul. Our relationship with Christ allows us access to the very throne of heaven, where it is possible to lay all our burdens aside, casting them before an omnipotent God. Furthermore, He’s with us through every circumstance that comes our way. His great love provides strength for weary bodies, peace for anxious minds, and comfort for grieving hearts.  

Hope — the anchor we need. It’s wrapped in God’s oath and promise, steadfast and secure. With that, we have confidence when we flee to Him for safety. Keep hope alive. God is with us. Be anchored in that truth.

God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6.17-19