March 14 – Anchored in the Storm

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." – Hebrews 6:19-20 (KJV)

The hope set before us is the hope of eternal life. Nothing less than this blessing will satisfy our Redeemer; yet, it is our duty to lay hold of this hope through faith in Him who has promised. We must expect trials, for it is those who share in His sufferings who will also share in His glory. He has purchased forgiveness and immortality for the dying souls of men; but it is our part to receive these gifts by faith. Believing in Him, we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast. We must understand that we can confidently expect the favor of God—not only in this life but in the heavenly kingdom—since He has paid such a great price for our salvation. Faith in the atonement and intercession of Christ will keep us firm and unshaken amid the temptations that surround us in the church militant. Let us fix our eyes upon the glorious hope set before us and lay hold of it by faith.

We do not gain Heaven by our own merits, but by the merits of Jesus Christ. Let not your hope rest in yourselves, but in Him who has entered within the veil. Speak often of the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is true that we are exposed to great moral danger; it is true that we are at risk of being corrupted. But these dangers only threaten us when we trust in ourselves and fail to look higher than our human efforts. If we do so, we will make shipwreck of our faith.

In Christ, all our hopes for eternal life are secured. Our hope is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, because it enters within the veil. The soul, tossed by the storms of life, becomes a partaker of the divine nature. It is anchored in Christ. Amid the raging elements of temptation, it will not be dashed against the rocks or swallowed by the whirlpool. Its vessel will pass safely through the storm, for it is held firm by the hand of the Almighty.