THE ANCHOR OF HOPE

“THIS HOPE we have as AN ANCHOR of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” – Hebrews 6:19

One of the Believer’s invaluable assets is the ANCHOR of HOPE: “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” (Heb. 6:19-20). In Christ we have an anchor that holds firm and secure. This Hope is anchored to the eternal Rock of Ages, Unchanging Changer, and Living Word. Storms come in diverse forms. Hope anchors our souls in Christ, enabling us to withstand and overcome life’s storms and quakes.

Early Christians used the symbol of an anchor to express the certainty of their Hope. Driven to the catacombs by persecution, they etched symbols on the walls of the tunnels under the streets of Rome. Here in this rude cradle of the infant church they lived out their faith in Christ, expressing their Hope by carving symbols such as a cross, a fish, a palm branch and an anchor. They believed God and embraced His promises. What then would be the excuse of the modern-day Believer, to whom much has been given, and from whom much is expected?

This Hope is not just wishful thinking, the product of our feelings, or whistling optimism that helps us endure the vicissitudes of life: it is the promise of redemption. That is why the anchor is such a fitting symbol for hope. As Christians, we anchor our lives on the reality of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. God has raised Christ from the dead, and one day Jesus will return. Hope is not a subjective feeling; it is the acknowledgment of a historical fact: Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. God by His Word is teaching us to anchor our lives in the Promise of His Resurrection!

Abraham modelled Faith and Hope (Rom. 4: 18-20). Not an ordinary man, Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of a nation through which the whole world would be blessed. He is called the father of the faithful and a friend of God. His Hope in God’s promises grew out of his relationship with Him. His faith anchored his Hope and convinced him of unseen realities. Abraham hoped against hope, believing what God had said: “who, contrary to hope, IN HOPE BELIEVED, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be” (Rom.4:18).

God led Abraham through the School of Obedience, teaching him patience, upholding his Hope, and nurturing his Faith. In Abraham, Faith and Hope worked together. Faith is the full Assurance of Hope: Abraham was “FULLY convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform” (Rom.4:21). He displayed the “full assurance of hope” (Heb.6:11).

Let’s ponder on this Hymn of 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?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul stedfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand, for ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;

And the cables passed from His heart to mine, Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

It will firmly hold in the straits of fear, when the breakers have told the reef is near;

Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow, Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

It will surely hold in the floods of death, when the waters cold chill our latest breath;

On the rising tide it can never fail, While our hopes abide within the veil.

The Lord’s delays do not suggest that He is advancing on heavy feet. As our Faithful Friend, God takes His time to build in us Hope as the anchor of the soul. Beloved, will your anchor hold?