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, having become High Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6: 19, 20, NKJV
Gracious Father, we thank You that the hope of our salvation does not depend upon us, but upon You. Please speak to our hearts as we wait before You today. Amen
Yesterday, our devotional was about God’s promise to save us, and the oath He took, to guarantee our salvation. We referred to it as “the hope set before us.” Let us take a closer look at this “hope.” It is compared to an anchor, that is both sure and steadfast. Anchors stabilize, and secure, a boat, or a ship, or any vessel in the water, in order for it not to be carried away by the wind and the waves. In the turbulent days in which we are living, we have need of an anchor, to withstand the storms of life that are already threatening.
As secure as anchors usually are, they are not infallible. They can become loosened. This is not the norm, but it is possible. To establish the reliability of this anchor, it is described as both sure, and steadfast! One of the stabilizing factors in an anchor is where it is let down, and what it grips. If the floor of the ocean or the sea where the anchor is let down is not firm, but loose, the vessel could become dislodged, and be washed away.
The NRSV refers to it as the “anchor of the soul …where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf has entered…” Emphasis provided. Need I say more? The guarantee that our ship will not be washed away, is that it is rooted and grounded in the One and Only Jesus, the Christ! It is anchored to the Rock of Ages! Its anchor is entered “behind the veil,” into the most holy place where the mercy seat is located; where Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, pleading on our behalf!
There is only one chartered course for our ship: toward the heavenly shore. It may be tossed about, but it will not lose its direction. It may rise and fall with the waves, but it is secure. The Captain knows the way! It may appear as if the ship is going to sink, but it will not sink; because the Lord of creation is on-board; and the winds and the waves know His voice. They heard it at creation, and they obeyed it while He was here on earth. There is nothing to fear as long as you remain on the ship. Meditate on the following:
“Will your anchor hold in the storm 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?
Refrain: We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billows roll; Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
“When our eyes behold in the dawning light, Shining gates of pearl, our harbor bright, We shall anchor fast to the heavenly shore, With the storms all past forevermore” ( Priscilla J. Owens, Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, p. 534).