Hope as an Anchor
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. (Hebrews. 6:18-20)
Why do we need an anchor?
A ship that is left loose to the mercy of a storm will be caught by surging waves that can inundate and ultimately throw over the ship. Likewise, the issues of life can seem like a sea: one minute calm and tranquil, and the next like a great heaving tempest that rises and falls, with uncertainties and unknown difficulties with no certainty as to the final outcome. It is without doubt that everyone of us needs an anchor in his or her life!
How does the anchor work?
An anchor is dropped into the sea with the hope it will dig into the sea bed that will hold the ship in place. When the anchor has been cast into good, rocky ground, the increasing heavy weather loads cause the anchor to dig deeper and firmer into the fixing on the sea bed. However, were the sea bed only sand, an anchor would not be able to restrain the wind and waves buffeting the ship, with the likelihood of the anchor becoming detached and no longer effective. When an anchor is properly fixed to the sea floor, the storm will rage around the ship, but it remains fixed and immovable.
Hope as an anchor
The verse today speaks of hope as an anchor, and this hope is like an anchor with a sufficiently long chain that stretches all the way into the Most Holy Place where Jesus reigns, and is anchored into His saving grace and compassion. It is also a place of attachment and relationship that leads us to experience His on-going protection and security, and where Jesus represents us before Almighty God.
Paul tells us that Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5). Our hope is in that love of Christ for all the trials of life:
- When life seems dark and gloomy, hope points to the light at the end.
- When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.
- When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.
- When we struggle with a crippling disease, or lingering health issues, hope helps us persevere beyond the pain and limitations.
- When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.
- When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.
- When we feel rejected and abandoned, hope reminds us we’re not alone, and He is for us.
Don’t worry when there is a lot of buffeting, with the storms of life swirling all around, but rather, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)