By: Ivy Vesey, Bekevar Presbyterian Church

Our Anchor - HOPE

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,

When the breakers roar and the reef is near?

While the surges rave and the winds blow,

Shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?

Will your eyes behold through the morning light

The city of gold and the harbour bright?

Will you anchor safe by the eavenly shore,

When life’s storms are past forevermore?

To this the author of Hebrews says, “We have an anchor!” It is quite customary for watercraft to carry an anchor. The dictionary defines this device as “heavy iron used for mooring the ship to the bottom of the sea.” Let’s back up just a little in this thought pattern. The real issue here is HOPE. Paul, writing to Titus, speaks in Ch.1 v.2 of “faith and knowledge resting on hope of eternal life,” which God has promised.

According to the Hebrews chapter six, there are several things involved in this hope.

1. It is based on the promises and oath of God - “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath.” V.17

2. He did this so that we might be greatly encouraged - “God did this so that we… may be greatly encouraged.” V.18

3. This is the anchor of the soul - this develops the idea of the anchor in the aspect that we are considering, namely spiritual life and hope. The author of the hymn says, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul…” and the writer of Hebrews says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.” V.19. Think for a few minutes of some of the elements that can disturb the peace of our inner persons - the “storms of life” as suggested in the lines of of that hymn. We NEED an anchor!!

4. We note, too, that the writers both speak of the anchor (our hope) being reliable (trustworthy), for they say it is steadfast, sure, firm, secure. We can depend upon our hope, because it is anchored in God Himself, and His love. The hymnwriter says it is, “fastened to the rock that cannot move” and that Rock is Christ.

5. This anchor enters the presence of God, in Christ, for we read in V.19 “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (the veil of the old Testament tabernacle dividing the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place), where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” According to the hymnwriter, it is “Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.”

6. Finally, we can rest in the future certainty of our hope because of the crosswork of Christ, He is able to speak to God for us. He is behind the veil (curtain) actively involved “because He always lives to intercede for us.” 7:24.

Hope - Grasp it firmly