Hebrews 6 sure knows how to take you on a bit of a roller-coaster ride. From the unsettling uncertainties of “falling away” (6:4-6) to the absolute assuredness of being “heirs of the promise” because of God’s “unchangeable purpose” (6:17). That’s our hope, says the writer to the Hebrews, a hope based on the promise given to all the faith-children of Abraham by an unchanging, unfailing God. Not only did God say it, He also swore an oath to it by Himself. So, if like Abraham we will wait patiently and confidently on the promise, we too will obtain the promise (6:13-15). That’s our hope. “Seize it,” says the writer (6:18b).

And when we do, the hope will have a stabilizing affect.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

(Hebrews 6:19a CSB)

An anchor. That’s the metaphor we’re to apply to an eternal hope based on an eternal promise made by the eternal God. Hope is our mainstay. It’s our fastener, our footing, and unfailing hook to that which is yet to be. It’s our mooring in the mess. It’s our safeguard through the storm. It’s our hold when things seem to become too helter-skelter. And this anchor is firm and secure because of where it has been placed.

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

(Hebrews 6:19b CSB)

Follow the lifeline of our hope, as you might a rainbow looking for a prize at the end of it, and, unlike a mythical pot of gold, you’ll find an actual anchor for the soul firmly entrenched in the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

Our hope enters the Holy of Holies. Our confidence is not in some shifting sand, but firmly planted where the glory of God dwells. Our assurance is entrenched in the bedrock of His character. The anchor is grounded in the presence of God Himself. Our hope is found in the midst of the One who is high and lifted up and whose train fills the temple, the One before whom angels declare without ceasing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Isa. 6:3, Rev. 4:8). Thus, couldn’t we say that ours is a holy, holy, holy hope? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Our anchor is firm and secure because of where it is found. But it is even more firm and secure because of who placed it there. And who’s that? You know the Sunday School answer . . . Jesus!

Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

(Hebrews 6:20 CSB)

A forerunner. Only time you’ll find this particular word in the original. A runner ahead. One who goes in advance to a place where there rest are to follow. That’s my Redeemer!

Entering the Holy of Holies by His own blood, the once-for-all and last-forever sacrifice for my sin. And having entered the inner sanctuary, He placed my hope there. Having entered behind the curtain He’s gone to prepare a place for us.Having entered and being seated where God is enthroned, He beckons us, “Come to Me. And I will give you rest.”

We have an anchor for the soul. A holy, holy, holy hope. Firm and secure because it’s has been grounded in the presence of a holy, holy, holy God. And that, by the Person, and through the finished work, of a holy, holy, holy Savior.

Oh, what grace! To God be the glory!