I’ve mentioned it before . . . one of the things I’m on the “prowl” for when I’m going through my reading plan in the morning are promises. They are scattered throughout God’s Word . . . in the ancient books of Moses . . . in the prophets . . . in the wisdom literature . . . in the chronicles of the life of Jesus . . . in the letters of instruction to the church by Paul and others. Sometimes they are specific and direct . . . other times they are more applied to situations beyond the immediate context of the Scripture. But one thing about the promises of God that I’m reminded of this morning is that they never fail . . . they can be counted on . . . they are worthy of establishing the foundation for life . . . they are an anchor for the soul.

The latter portion of Hebrews 6 is about the certainty of God’s promise to Abraham. Back in Genesis God promised Abraham that he would have a son . . . and from that son a nation would arise . . . and from that nation “all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3). And so God established a principle for dealing with men that is founded on “heirs of the promise” realizing the assurances of God through faith. Through faith . . . not in themselves, but in the God who called them to receive the promise. Not because of their merit . . . not because of their potential . . . but because of “the unchangeable character of His purpose” (6:17) . . . because “it is impossible for God to lie” (6:18). That is the power of the promises . . . the immutable nature of God Himself. And as such . . . they are an anchor for 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, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV)

The promises of God spawn hope . . . and hope becomes a sure and steadfast anchor . . . secured to the throne of God by our Great High Priest, Jesus . . . “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (2Cor. 1:20).

Chew on it . . . an anchor of the soul . . . tethered to the Holy of Holies . . . tied to the very throne of God. Secured there for us by Jesus Himself . . . the forerunner . . . the “Advance Man.” Administered at the right hand of Majesty on High by Jesus the Great High Priest . . . the Author and Finisher of the promise . . . our forever Intercessor. And so, the anchor holds . . . ya’ think?

Oh, to pause in the midst of the storm and know the anchor holds. To take a moment and reflect on the steadfastness of God’s promises . . . to allow His Spirit to infuse hope and assurance . . . to experience the “it is well with my soul” peace that comes only as a result of knowing the love of God and the God of love.

I’ll be honest . . . I’d just as soon avoid the tempest . . . smooth sailing would be my preference. But I also know . . . in my head and through past experience . . . that it is in the trial where God is so often most deeply known . . . that it is in the surreal circumstance of the unexpected that the reality of the faith is most acutely realized. While the anchor is always there, never is it more recognized or more appreciated than when gale force winds are trying to rip me loose from it. Yes . . . the anchor holds . . . for His glory . . . amen.

Click here if you have a few more minutes to reflect on the reality of this truth . . .