“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 steadfast and which enters into that within the Veil, where the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:18-20
When held in the hollow of His Hand and sustained by His unfailing Promises, we need never fear what will happen today. . .or tomorrow.
“Steady as she goes.”
Such are sometimes the words spoken by the captain of a ship as they set sail for a destination. The seas are calm. The skies overhead are bright blue. The sea-breezes are softly caressing. Not a cloud in the sky or a care in the soul.
But, oh, how quickly that idyllic scenario can change!
Storms at sea can arise without warning. What started out as a picture-perfect day can soon turn into life’s worst nightmare as those once-calm waves turn into white-capping, rogue demons from hell. And, it’s in those times (literally or figuratively) that you need God’s “Anchor of the soul.”
While earthly anchors are usually tethered to the ship by a rope or chain, this “sure-and-steadfast Anchor” is held “by two immutable or unbreakable things,” which are the “chains” of God’s Person and Promises/Character and Conduct (Heb. 11:6). And, unlike heavy, metal anchors that descend into the depths, this Anchor ascends into the heights and its two chains are held by the nail-scarred Hands of the “Captain of our salvation” (Heb. 2:10). Hallelujah!!
We should also note that this Anchor is really God’s “Grappling Hook of Grace” that has three points or prongs. One is Jesus as our Protector—for it’s to Him we “flee for refuge so we might have consolation (Grk. ‘paraklesis’—‘comfort, solace, assurance, etc.’) and lay hold upon (Grk. ‘krateo’—‘to seize, retain, cling to, gain strength from, etc.’) the Hope set before us.” And, what better refuge than His loving arms?!? Glory!!
A second point-of-Grace that assures us is the fact that Jesus is our “Forerunner within the Veil,” which we know to be that Heavenly Holy-of-Holies where He now “makes intercession for us” (Heb. 7:24-25). In essence, like in days of old when covered wagon trains blazed trails westward, so is Jesus the soul’s “Pioneer Scout,” Who’s “been tempted in every way as we, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15)—including “the valley of the shadow of death” (Ps. 23:4)—and has returned to say “Do not fear; all is well. Follow Me.” Thank You, Lord!
And, a third wonderful “Holy Hook” of this Anchor is Jesus’ being our “greater-than High Priest.” We need not fear if He will understand us or not—for He became “one of us so we could become one of His” (Heb. 2:11, 14-18); neither do we need to fear if He will one day forsake us—for He has promised He wouldn’t (Heb. 13:5b) and “He cannot lie” (Heb. 6:18). Therefore, live today in the blessed assurance that Captain Christ is at the helm and will calm your soul’s inner storms even when the winds are howling and the waves are tossing to-and-fro.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated February 10, 2011
