Anchor: June 20, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JUNE 20, 2013

ANCHOR

DEFINITION:

A person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability or security; mainstay; any device for holding fast or checking motion.

SCRIPTURE:

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. Hebrews 6:19.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Both of us love to be on ships. Cruising on the water is relaxing and restful for us. However, being on a ship in the midst of a storm is quite a different matter. We have had times in life when we felt we were being buffeted about by the realities of life much like a ship in a storm is tossed about by the waves.

Yes, when we think of anchors, we usually think of ships or boats. An anchor is lowered to keep the ship in place so it will not float into a dangerous position. In Acts chapter 27, the apostle Paul gives us an account of the time he was on a ship as a prisoner being moved with other prisoners to their trial. He tells of sailing into a terrible storm and the crew having to put the anchor out to keep the ship wrecked vessel from being dashed to pieces on the rocks.

Thinking of ships and boats, we remember going out in a small boat with an outboard motor with my (Ken) mother and step father. We had our six children with us and we went out probably no more than a mile into the Pacific Ocean. All of a sudden we noticed that the boat was slowly beginning to fill with water. Since we had young children on board my step father radioed the Coast Guard for help. We knew an anchor would not help and a bucket bailing the water out of the boat was not sufficient. We knew that now was the time to pray. We all were praying and bailing and doing all we could to help get rid of the water at the same time.

Soon we saw a Coast Guard ship getting close. To say the least it was huge. We thought the whole American Navy was coming. They responded quickly because they knew there were small children on board. To make a long story short the Coast Guard got us and the boat safely back to shore.

That day, in our situation, a boat anchor was not what we needed. It was the anchor of hope in Jesus Christ that we relied on and that is why we all prayed. Instead of looking at a useless anchor in the middle of the ocean we knew that our Lord was the anchor we needed.

As Christians, our hope in Jesus is the anchor for our soul and it is sure and steadfast so we will not drift away. In the storms of life we are like a ship at sea that is tossed and battered and in danger of being dashed to pieces. Our anchor, Jesus Christ, is always with us keeping us safe, stable and holding us fast so we do not float away into worldly problems.

When you face each day in life, make sure your anchor of faith in Jesus is steadfast and sure. Seek the Lord daily to keep your anchor firm and put your trust in Him to keep you steady in the storms of life. He wants to be your anchor and will be there with you every moment of the day through all the ups and downs of life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 1:7.

In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

PRAYER:

As I face this day, I think of the old hymn sung years ago, "My Anchor Holds." Thank You for being my anchor throughout this day and it is my prayer that You will hold me close to You and lead and guide me and keep me on a steady course through my voyage in life.