Our Anchor in Life's Storms

Hebrews 6: 16-20
 
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews. 6: 19-20a
 
     Following on from the themes in yesterday’s blog I would like to ask ourselves, “How are we to build good foundations in this situation; how are we to have obedient faith?” Our passage today simply teaches us that we can believe in God because of who He is, His nature is unchangeable (vs. 17), and we can trust in His Word because He cannot lie (vs.18). How do we put this into practice when facing such a storm in our lives?
 
     If you visit Fort Whyte Alive on a stormy day when the wind is blowing a gale and there are white crested waves on the boisterous lakes you may notice something; you may witness the waterfowl. If on the lakes, and to deal with the storm, they will simply face into the wind and paddle with sufficient strength to stay still. When we are faced with a life storm often the best response is to face it, not run and hide nor try and overcome it in our own strength, but to face it and be still. We can be still in this storm by trusting God’s unchangeable nature of love towards us and His multitude of promises in His Word, putting them into practice through faith.
 
     To stay still in a storm, we need an anchor; we need a lifeline that we can trust. In the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Rome, there are some of the earliest Christian images. Some of these images are of anchors, quite possibly connected with our verse above (vs. 19). In some of these images of anchors the shape of a cross can be seen; this Cross is the symbol of our hope in God. Our hope of life through faith in Jesus Christ by God’s grace is our lifeline. This lifeline can give us peace and strength because we know that even in the storms of our lives it is anchored in God’s sanctuary.
 
To Ponder: What characteristics of God and what promises from His Word give you confidence in this storm? How will these help you in prayer?
 
Prayer: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first suffered pain, and entered not into glory before He was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace: through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen
 
To Praise: