Changing Anchors
“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 6:19-20
Christmastime can be such a beautiful time. Snow often comes and blankets the entire
outdoors in beautiful glistening white.
Christmas trees shine their lights through windows. Houses are decorated with wreaths and
colorful lights. In the country, where
few lights are on at night, it’s a beautiful sight to see red, blue, yellow and
green lights twinkle in the darkness.
But the most beautiful thing of all is not seen, but felt.
The joy of Christmas and the excitement of getting up
Christmas morning takes us back to an easy childhood joy. There’s something about that day, being with
family, celebrating God’s love for us, and celebrating the birth of Jesus that
fills the heart of a believer to a bubbling-over level. It is the celebration of true hope and genuine
love.
But for some it can be a very depressing, dark time. It can be a time when expectations don’t
exist, because hope is betrayed. It’s a
time when the memory of loved ones who have passed hangs like a gray
cloud. For some the heartache of broken
families floods over any joy that the day could bring, and the thought of just
staying in bed and sleeping through the day is the most comforting thought of
all.
I believe what makes a difference is where you find
hope. We don’t all store it away in the
same source. Some of us have placed our
hope in man, in family, in friends. Yet
friends and family often let us down, break promises, grow distant, and sometimes
never know the pain they cause. But
those of us that have placed our hope in Christ know that He does not lie, He
does not fail, and He is a faithful and steadfast friend.
Hebrews 6:19-20 refers to Christ as an anchor for the soul
and says “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.” He has gone where no man can go – behind “the veil” into the
presence of God – as our high priest. He
has “entered for us” and stays there
for us at God’s right hand. He is our
legal representation in times of trouble, our advocate in time of need, our
friend in times of heartbreak. He is an
anchor that holds, that is steadfast and dependable.
There once was a ship that went out to sea
at night. During the night a horrible
storm came, the winds blew, the waves rocked the ship, and the crew became
fearful. Not knowing what was around
them in the darkness of night they cast out their anchor and prayed for morning
to come and for the waves to subside.
They allowed fear to anchor them into the storm and among the waves, which
prolonged their pain. But in the
morning, when the sun came up, they saw a beautiful white beach had been nearby
all along, a port waiting for them to turn in.
Jesus can be your port, the anchor for your
soul. He waits for you to cut loose of
the anchor of hurtful things and turn to Him.
Turn to Him, and find hope that never fails. Anchor your soul to Him. He does not disappoint.
Hope lives in the hearts of those who
believe in Him. Within two chapters of
Psalms, 42 & 43, the same verse regarding placing our hope in God occurs not
once, not twice, but three times. It
says “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; For I shall yet
praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.(Psalms 42:5,11;Pslams 43:5)”
The answer for the depressed soul is hope and faith in God. Praising Him will bring about healing. He is the balm for your soul, your ever
present help in times of trouble (Psalms 46:1).
“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen
your heart, All you who hope in
the LORD.” – Psalms 31:24
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