(Heb 6:19) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . .
We live in stormy and chaotic times. And what a boat needs in tempestuous conditions is a good anchor so it won't drift into danger. We all feel the tug of the world as it lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). What will keep you and I in these turbulent and uncertain times? It's going to be Jesus. He is the anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast!
Paul was in a ship bound for Rome when a strong Mediterranean wind whipped up and threatened the vessel. They let her go until they sighted land and quickly let down the anchors before they hit land. Then they prayed. (Acts 27:29) Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. That's what we need to do in stormy times. We need to cast our hopes on the Lord and trust that He will keep us. Like the sailors in Paul's day we need to pray for day to come. The Lord knows when the storm will subside and the clouds will clear and we'll see daylight.
It is so easy to let our ship loose in the storm instead of anchoring into the Lord. There is a lot of temptation out there and when the going gets tough we seem to just give up instead of tethering to the Lord. Disaster awaits us though when we give up and pull up anchor (Acts 27:39-41) When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
Is it possible to have Jesus as your anchor but still suffer shipwreck? The answer is yes, but you have to remember sometimes the Lord allows the stormy times and the waves to crash in. But remember that the anchor is still with you inside the boat. It's Jesus! He never jumps ship. Consider these verses: (2 Cor 11:25) . . . three times I (Paul) was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep. (Mat 8:24) And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He (Jesus) was asleep. (Isa 43:2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you . . . Some don't trust in the Lord and fall away during the tough times to their detriment. (1 Tim 1:19) having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.
The Bible says wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of our times. (Isa 33:6) That means we must keep in the Word every day so we can navigate through the rough seas of life. I'm glad Jesus is the Captain of my salvation (Heb 2:10) and the anchor of my soul!
Louie
Comments