By Pastor Kathryn Modica
“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)
I have been watching the response of our city during the COVID-19 updates provided by our government and media, and to see the uncertainty and fear that is gripping our Nation is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, this virus has affected our families, our businesses, and our friends. What we all are facing is very serious. As I was talking with a friend the other day, I began to see the overwhelming fear that this person was experiencing, and I was reminded of the scripture found in Hebrews 6:19-20.
It’s not that we ignore the updates from our government, the media, or write off what is taking place in our City… BUT as believers we have a peace that surpasses our understanding (Phil. 4:7) in the midst of chaos. We, as believers, have an Anchor that holds us through the storms of life. That no matter what comes our way, whether it be wars, rumors of war (Matt. 24:6), pestilence, sickness, disease (Coronavirus), you name it…. The truth is, WE are held and kept! WE have been tethered to God Himself. The Lord, our FORERUNNER, has gone before us and we are held and fastened, to this hope, this SURE AND STEADFAST anchor of the soul.
I love how the Passion Translation reads, “We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat which sits in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold, and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek.” This Anchor is STRONG, UNBREAKABLE, HOLDING OUR SOULS TO GOD HIMSELF! This hope, this certainty goes beyond the outward circumstances in our lives, it is fastened deep within our souls reminding us that we are seated in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) in perfect peace, with God Himself.
I love this commentary from Barnes, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul – Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship. It makes it fast and secure. An anchor preserves a ship when the waves beat and the wind blows, and as long as the anchor holds, so long the ship is safe, and the mariner apprehends no danger. So it is with the soul of the Christian. In the tempests and trials of life, his mind is calm as long as his hope of heaven is firm. If that gives way, he feels that all is lost. Among the pagan writers, “hope” is often compared with an anchor. Socrates said, “To ground hope on a false supposition, is like trusting to a weak anchor.” Again – “A ship ought not to trust to one anchor, nor life to one hope.” Both sure and steadfast. Firm and secure. This refers to the anchor. That is fixed in the sand, and the vessel is secure.”
I love that, in the tempests and trials of life, the mind of the Christian can stay calm as long as their hope is in Heaven…. Where is your hope today? Rather WHO is your hope in today? The media? The government? The doctors? Or Christ, Himself?
Christ is the Forerunner who has gone before us into the Holy of Holies, behind the veil. Jesus has made a way for us, our families, and our friends. We are tethered to the Mercy Seat of God, where he can hear our every cry, fear, worry, and He has given us this SURE and STEADFAST hope that anchors our soul in perfect peace in the midst of the storm!”