Anchored

Anchored

Hebrews 6:13-17, 19

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, ¹⁴ Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. ¹⁵ And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.¹⁷ Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: ¹⁹ Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

 

I had an opportunity to share this with the Holiness Tabernacle family recently and several of the members told me that they were tremendously encouraged – even a few visitors.  I thought it might encourage you as well.

Over the past few weeks, we have experienced a wave of sickness at our local church.  Members who are faithful and often called upon for several functions were not able to serve in those capacities.  Much to my surprise, several of my pastor friends have shared they are experiencing the same at their churches.  Add to this, several people travel during the summer months.  This past Sunday morning I took the opportunity to lead Praise and Worship (the Lord met us too).

You may have also noticed people, institutions, organizations and processes we once had confidence in have fallen apart, failed us or changed such that they are barely recognizable, to include parents, religious leaders, marriages, educational systems, friends, and political leaders.  Individuals or things we once depended on cannot be depended upon anymore.  As the storms of life rage and winds of change blow, what do we have to keep us in place?

Through the years I have learned that people, things and circumstances change.  We change.  The cares of life can have a tremendous effect on us.  I think of my marriage.  My wife and I have been married for more than thirty years.  We have seen and experienced a great deal.  Children, church, moves, careers, sickness, grandchildren, economic challenges, educational advances and more.  However, our love for one another and our commitment to God and one another have been an anchor for our relationship.  What do you have to hold you in place?

A maritime man I am not, but I do know that it’s not the water on the surface that you need to be concerned about, but rather the currents underneath that you cannot see.  In fact, the surface may look calm; it is what you cannot see that will cause you to drift and eventually destroy you.

In the text, Abraham made a covenant with God.  Through 25 years of waiting, a not so wise agreement between he, Sarah and Hagar, and untruths that placed his wife in a compromising position – twice, we see that Abraham perhaps lost his way a few times. But he had the promise from God to anchor him.

Here are a few things I note about anchors:

• Anchors only work when they’re in the water or the issue that’s causing peril – they never work onboard.
• The anchor does not move with the vessel, it doesn’t even necessarily care what’s causing the trouble.
• The anchor isn’t made of the same material as the boat or what it’s holding.

As we move closer to our Savior’s return, expect more ungodly and drastic things to occur.  The Scripture tells us of a great falling away from the faith and perilous times.  But I am reminded of Douglas Miller, a well-known song writer, who penned these words:

Though the storms keep on raging in my life,

And sometimes it's hard to tell my night from day.

Still that hope that lies within is reassured

As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore;

I know He'll lead me safely to that

Blessed place He has prepared

But if the storms don't cease,

And if the wind keeps on blowing, (in my life)

My soul has been anchored in the Lord.

 

I bless you in the name of the Lord!

Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.

Holiness Tabernacle COGIC, Founder and Pastor