A Certain Anchor

Hebrews 6.9-20

        In this world of difficulty and trouble, of trials and problems, of battles and strife, we are not left to wander aimlessly without hope. We are likened to a ship on a raging, stormy sea, being batted back and forth, tossed around by the relentless waves of life, and yet never lost. Our security is certain in our Savior, who holds us secure through the most violent storms. …we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf (Hebrews 6.18-20).

        Our hope is in nothing but Jesus; it is in the Gospel; it is certain in the faithful promises of God and of the new covenant, secured on the Cross of Calvary, and verified in His resurrection. Knowing the sinfulness of our souls, our being lost in sin, our going into the depths of the sea without any means to bring ourselves to safety, we flee to our refuge, Jesus Christ. In Him we are safe, are pulled out of life’s despair, and are secure no matter how violent the storms beat around us and how bruised we may feel. We hold to Jesus as a certain anchor for our souls; an anchor that will not let loose; an anchor that can hold through every circumstance of life; an anchor that is grounded deeply in a certain foundation, that of the very character of an ever truthful and unchangeable God. Our souls are secure, nothing of this world is able to entangle us and rip us away, nothing of the enemy can separate us from the firm hold of the eternal Father, nothing of the circumstances of life are too great or too strong for this unmovable anchor. Jesus Christ has secured our safety and will keep us safe. Our encouragement rests not in just knowing we are able to hold to Him as our anchor, but certain of His great strength that He will hold on to us, and will never let us go.

Tho’ the angry surges roll
On my tempest-driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.

Mighty tides about me sweep,
Perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,
And the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest’s shock,
For my anchor grips the rock.

I can feel the anchor fast
As I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen,
Bears the heavy strain between;
Thro’ the storm I safely ride,
Till the turning of the tide.

Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;
Griefs like billows o’er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray;
Storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I can be bold,
I’ve an anchor that shall hold.

And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

                                                            W. C. Martin

Held safe in Christ – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry