“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).
Dear Heavenly Father, as we find ourselves sailing on very choppy and uncertain waters, our hearts are moved to respond in gratitude, “we have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure, while the billows roll,” We thank You because it is “fastened to the Rock which cannot move,” and that Rock is Jesus the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
You may have guessed that the hymn we are going to be looking at today has something to do with anchors. Let us begin by defining what an anchor is.
From Webster’s II New College Dictionary, Third Edition, here are three definitions:
- A heavy object attached to a vessel by a rope or cable and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place either by its weight or by flukes that grip the bottom.
- Something that provides a rigid point of support, as for securing a rope.
- Something that provides stability or security.
Now let us look at our hymn for today
- In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!
Refrain
- This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One; This Rock is Jesus, the only One! 1,2.Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock! 3.I’m very sure, I,m very sure My anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!
2. In times like these you need the Bible, In times like these O be not idle; Be very sure, Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!
3. In times like these I have a Savior, In times like these I have an anchor; I’m very sure, I’m very sure My anchor holds and grips the solid Rock! (Ruth Caye Jones)
From the three definitions of anchor that we hve looked at, applying them to this hymn, there really could be no other person who could have taken our anchors behind the veil; into the very Presence, the Shekinah glory, and become security for us, but our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!
Listen to the key points in these definitions: to keep the vessel in place; point of support; provides stability or security. Jesus has provided all of this for us, and then some!
It was the merit of His sinless life, the power of His spilled blood, and the efficacy of His death, that rent the veil in two that Friday afternoon, when He declared with all the authority that was His, in heaven and on earth, that the mission He had left heaven to accomplish on behalf of the sinner, had been accomplished!
The veil that had separated the sinner from the Father was now thrown wide open to “whoever will!” The invitation was heard throughout the universe when that shout of triumph escaped the lips of the dying Lamb of God, “It is finished!” The debt had been paid!
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Along with the songwriter we can sing: “I’m very sure, I’m very sure my anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!”