Hope: The Anchor of the Soul
Bible Readings
- Hebrews 6:13-20 - For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Jesus is our reliable and unwavering hope — we can hold firmly to Him in any trial.
The anchor was a popular image around the ancient Mediterranean. As the economy of that era depended on shipping, the anchor symbolized safety and stability. The author of the letter to the Hebrews used this word to remind believers that God gives a hope that stands firm in any storm (6:19).
Hope is a healthy attitude. Expecting good brings comfort to the mind and heart. In contrast, despair is painful. Thinking that what you are facing cannot get better is very heavy and disappointing. For a person who has lost all hope, life feels like an endless, dark tunnel.
There is a verse in Proverbs that describes the result of this agonizing feeling: "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." But with our eternal and almighty God, no situation is hopeless. In Him, we see the second half of that proverb fulfilled: "But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."
Believers have a hope that strengthens their hearts. Our relationship with Jesus brings us closer to the heavenly throne where we can bring all our burdens into the Lord's presence. Moreover, we can remain steadfast in Him in every trial we face. He illuminates the dark tunnel and gently leads us through difficult situations.
🤔 Reflection
How does knowing that Jesus is the anchor of your soul help you navigate difficult situations?
Photo by Photo by Lothar Boris Piltz on Unsplash