SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1420
“Anchor of the Soul”
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf… Christ Jesus our hope. – Hebrews 6:19; 1 Timothy 1:1
Seafarers drop anchor to hold position against opposing forces. Proper anchoring provides shelter in a safe harbor as well as aiding in maneuvering in tight situations.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
We navigate a narrow path of righteousness in this life as we follow Jesus. There are many opposing forces seeking to take us off course into dangerous waters and away from safe harbors and many of us foolishly venture out ‘on our own’ drawn by the deceitfulness of the empty and temporal promises of this world.
Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return. They hold fast to their evil purpose; – Jeremiah 8:5; Psalm 64:5
These ‘anchors’ of the world that we have come to rely on and idolize are deceitful and ineffective to help us in our time of need.
Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it; Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! – 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 31:1
Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord; Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. – Jeremiah 17:5; Psalm 146:3
Anchored in Hope – We must not waver in the hope we have in Jesus in this life and for eternity. There is no other anchor for our soul.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – 1 Peter 1:3
Anchored in Confidence and Security – We must always be on guard against placing our confidence in ourselves, others, or in the mammon of this world for these are all false security.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 62:5-6
Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the. heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession; Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. – Hebrews 4:14, 3:6
For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. – Hebrews 3:14
Anchored in Trust – Jesus is steadfast, faithful, and true. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will not lose anyone that the Father has entrusted to Him for salvation. Our trust is securely anchored in Him.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. – Jeremiah 17:7
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever… – Psalm 125:1-2
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. – Isaiah 26:3-4
Anchored by Faith in Jesus – We drop anchor and cannot always see the sea bottom and how well the anchor hold has taken. But with evidence our faith is established in a proper anchoring. So it is with Jesus. By the Holy Spirit, through the Living Word of God, we have the depth of spiritual assurance that anchors our faith in Jesus.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen; So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Hebrews 11:1; Romans 10:17
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession; Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 4:14; 12:2
Responsorial Prayer
Lord Jesus, I repent of all the times I have wandered from your path, lured by the siren song of the world. I repent of all the idols I have placed my trust in instead of remaining anchored in You.
Thank You for not giving up on me and drawing me back to You. You are my rock, my refuge, and my firm foundation. I anchor my soul in faith, trust, and hope in you. You are my confidence and security in this life and for eternity.
