An Anchor for the Soul

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With so many uncertainties and negative things happening in our world, it can feel like we’re being blown around like a ship on the sea sometimes (emotionally speaking). That’s why I turn to the one who offers me an “anchor for my soul”. The author of Hebrews, chapter six had this to say:

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (NKJV).

The point of these scriptures is to give strong consolation (comfort and encouragement) for those who are the heirs of God’s promises. Jesus came through the lineage of Abraham and Abraham is called the “father of faith”. All who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior have been grafted in. We are also his heirs and if you want to be a part of His family, all you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of all your sins and then keep following Him.

We Can Trust God’s Holy Nature

The first point of encouragement is that God made a promise to Abraham and He confirmed it by swearing by Himself and taking an oath. The scripture tells us that God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent and change His mind (Numbers 23:19). I have learned by walking with the Lord for many years that He is faithful to His word and He keeps His promises. We can trust His holy nature.

Verse 17 talks about the immutability (unchangeableness) of His counsel. James 1:17 says: 17 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV). God is not double-minded, He doesn’t make a promise to you one day and then change His mind the next (unlike people). When the Lord makes a promise, He is faithful to bring it to pass, as long as we continue to follow His leading, pray and do what He tells us to do.

Receiving His Promises Requires Patience

Verse 15 says that after Abraham had patiently endured, he received the promise. Often, there are situations, storms of life or long waiting periods, that arise between the time the Lord gives us a promise and the time we see it fulfilled. It is during these times that we need to do go into the hull of the boat (the secret place) and strengthen our faith in the Captain of our souls. We need to remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), so we cannot allow our faith to be blown around by how things look in the natural. We have to keep our souls (mind, will and emotions) anchored to what God has promised.

I like what Psalm 11:3-4 says: 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord is on his heavenly throne. (NIV) We need to realize that God is still in control. He is still on the throne and He will be faithful to his promises. God bless you all.

In Christ,

Kelly Rowe