We have an anchor

Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 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. 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. – Hebrews 6.17-20

Just the other day the ESA successfully soft landed a probe on a comet 500 million kilometres away. It all looked good, but before things settled down there was a problem. The harpoons that were designed to anchor the lander to the comet failed and it bounced 2-3 times before it landed precariously to the rock. As I am writing this they are still not sure the anchors are going to hold. Because the probe was not properly anchored they don’t really know where the probe is.

This is a clear picture of what happens when there is no anchor. A lack of stability can be ruinous. This doesn’t just apply to probes on comets 500 million kilometres away. It also applies to people here as we live our spiritual lives. If we are not clinging to our anchor we are going to bounce all over the place and it’s going to be hard for us to figure out exactly where we are spiritually.

But we do have an anchor. Our anchor is based on the promise of the immutability of the counsel of God who cannot lie. He is our strong consolation and He is our eternal secure hope. He is steadfast and secure and there is no need for us to be bouncing around all over the place.

I love this old hymn about that anchor. I miss it. I am not sure a whole lot of people even remember it anymore. When I read this verse it immediately comes to mind. There is no way that I could put it as clearly as this song. Enjoy and be blessed.

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

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,

For ’tis well secured by the Saviour’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.