18th June 2024
A firm anchor
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf…
Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)
I remember spending time as a child with my father at the lake near where my aunt and uncle lived. We would take out the boat, a rowboat, and fish with just a bamboo pole. What we had for an anchor was a rope cemented into a coffee can and that in turn was secured to the boat with a knot. It served to slow down the natural drift of the boat in the water, but it did not hold us there for long if the current was strong. So, we often had to pull up the anchor and reposition the boat again and again. I can still hear the chop, chop, chop of the water against the sides of the boat in my mind. It is a pleasant memory. The sun was warm, the sounds pleasant, and the company of my father was a treasure to me. I was safe, loved, and secure.
We all want this right? We all want to feel safe, loved, and secure. If we cling to things of this world, we often feel the ground shake and move under our feet. Things change, people change, our health changes. We begin to drift in our faith. We must adjust our position and anchor up again and again. Our personal anchor is not strong enough, but God is. We are reminded in verse 17 of Hebrews 6 of the unchanging nature of God. God is not going anywhere; he is always there for us. He does not lie; we are told in verse 18. What he says is true; we can count on God to stand firm. So, we need to take hold of God in faith and cling to the hope we have in him as our anchor; firm and strong.
The water was not always smooth on the lake as my dad, and I went out to fish. When the wind picked up, the boat would rock, but I had the security of my father nearby. My father was an anchor stronger than the one on the boat. Our world will rock now and then as things in this world threaten to overpower us. It is then we need to remember the firm anchor we have in our Heavenly Father, and in the Lord Jesus. ‘…because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to completely save those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.’ (Hebrews 7: 24-25). Jesus is our firm anchor. We hold on to Jesus so that our hope may be fully realised (Hebrews 6:11).
I remember one time we entered a larger body of water with the boat. I was told by my brother that the larger Garfish, with those horrible teeth, lived in that deeper water. That was alright until the wind began to blow, and the boat rocked with excitement. I began to fear falling into the water; that was until I looked to my father who assured me that I would be alright. He took us away from there into calmer waters, removing my fear. Our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus have all things secured, anchored firm and in their control. We can look to God to calm our fears and bring us peace and comfort. Truly God is an anchor for our souls.
Prayer
Merciful God, truly we look to you for the help we need each day. We are safe and secure in your loving arms. We know that you will hold us safely under your care, and if we begin to drift, you will pull us back into your protection. We thank you God, you are our hope, and you are our comfort, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church