Anchor of the Soul

Hebrews 6:19a  “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”

 
      The dictionary defines an anchor as “a heavy implement usually of iron or steel, with hooks or flukes to grip the bottom, attached to a cable and dropped from a ship or boat to hold it in place. To hold fast. To fix firmly. To secure.”  A boat out on the water must drop an anchor in order for it to remain in a fixed place, otherwise, the movement of the water, whether great or small, will cause the boat to move also.  Likewise, our souls also require an anchor.  What is your anchor today?  Is your soul anchored securely?  If the storms came and the winds blew fiercely would you be tossed to and fro so that your anchor came loose?  Let’s drop the anchor and see if we can find a secure place for our souls. 
     One place the anchor often grasps is the “Sands of Good Works.”  People are so sure that if they live a good life, if they do many good deeds, if they refrain from the major sins of this world and try their best, that God will surely give them credit toward heaven.  But like the shifting sands, these works come and go and are tainted with sin, and although the anchor may sink deep into the “Sands of Good Works ” at first, soon the sand shifts about, and the anchor is uncovered and they begin to drift because the only sure place for our anchor is not in self, but in our Hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.
    A second place where the anchor is caught is the “Seaweed of False Doctrine.”  Many say, because I believe “this and this” and because I know “that and that” about the Bible I am secure.  Like seaweed, they soon become a tangled mess, contradicting themselves because their beliefs are founded on man’s ideas and not on the Lord Jesus Christ.
      A third place where the anchor is caught is the “Decaying Wood of Self-Righteousness.”  An anchor can find it’s hold on the debris of an old sunken ship and for a while is caught and appears secure.  So, those that think they are good enough to go to heaven and that think they live above sin, will find security in their own selves.  Since we have no righteousness, since “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23),  since “there is none good, no not one.”  (Romans 3:19,) since “all our righteousness is as filthy rags.”  (Isaiah 64:6) this security in self rots and breaks up and turns loose.  Then the individual is afloat and adrift again.
     But, there is no need to waste time dropping our anchor here and there, only to find that it is not secure.  Go straight to the One Who does not shift as the sand.  Go straight to the One Who is grounded because He is the Truth.  Go straight to the One Who will not decay or grow old. Go straight to the Lord Jesus Christ, that Hope, which is both “sure and steadfast.”
 
Theme: The Better Way: Having The Anchor for the Soul (the Lord Jesus Christ) is the Better Way
 

About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
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6 Responses to Anchor of the Soul

  1. Seth Fuller says:

    This is great. Thank you!

    Like

  2. Wendy says:

    Gail,Thanks for sending these; they are the simple truths of which I need constant reminder. God is so good and faithful! I do love your illustrations, and believe God is using you to encourage many.In Him,Wendy

    Like

  3. Melinda says:

    Thanks for more words of wisdom

    Like

  4. Thanks, Gail,
    This is so very clearly written and is so needed for today.
    Your friend,
    Anita

    Like

  5. Charlene says:

    So necessary in these turbulent days.

    Like

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