AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL

"Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus . . . " (Heb 6:18-20, NASB).

An anchor is required to keep a vessel from drifting–to hold it firm in deep and troubling waters. An anchor reaches something firm–something that enables the ship to maintain stability. The anchor must be strong, else it will not secure the vessel. An anchor of paper or cardboard is useless. Too, the anchor must be attached to a stable chain or rope that is connected to the vessel. An anchor unattached to the vessel is of no use, even if it is strong itself.

Those in Christ Jesus also require an anchor–an anchor for the soul. They are in treacherous waters, and need something to keep them secure and stable. They are on the sea of life, and frequent storms threaten their safety. There are spiritual storms so strong and threatening that all human resources become useless. Such assaults tend to move us from our spiritual moorings, putting a distance between us and our promised destination. In such times the heart can grow faint, and confidence can fly away like a frightened dove. Fear can so grip the heart as to destroy all assurance that we are safe in Christ Jesus.

The Lord has made provision for such times. He has furnished an "anchor for the soul." It is a solid anchor, capable of outlasting any crisis. The storm itself has no power over this anchor. It is both "steadfast and sure." That anchor is "HOPE"–the firm conviction of good things to come. It is not lowered into the depths, like earthly anchors, but cast upward, into the heavenly realms. Hope reaches beyond vision, and extends beyond the capacity of the intellect and human reasoning. It is not something to be explained, but something to be possessed and enjoyed. It is not constructed by men, but granted by God. The substance of which the anchor is made is Divine affirmation–commitments in which it is impossible for God to lie. Because of this, and because it is personal, it brings "strong consolation" to those possessing it.

This marvelous anchor for the soul enters "that within the veil." That is, it lays hold of Reality that cannot be perceived with the senses. It involves the persuasion of the reality of God, Christ, and the salvation that is in Christ. It is, in fact, knowing your name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20). It is knowing you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). That knowledge is not based upon your achievement, but upon your conviction of the truth of God's promise.

To persuade us of the effectiveness of this anchor for the soul, its present location is further defined. It is not only "within the veil," it is where Jesus, the Forerunner, has entered "for us." The effectiveness of the anchor depends upon Him.

How is this anchor connected to us? At one end, it is secured safely and effectively, where Jesus is–but what about us? It is our faith that takes hold of the anchor–our persuasion of the promises. That is the chain, so to speak, that connects you with this indispensable anchor. As long as you can believe, your soul will hold firm, even if it is in storm-tossed waters. No matter what you may be called to endure in this world, you DO have an anchor. Believe it!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus for the firmness and trustworthiness of hope, the anchor for my soul. I thank You that it is firmly fixed in heaven not upon this passing world.

-- Monday: THE SACRED LOGIC --