DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Hebrews 6 (Focus vs. 17-20)
MEMORY VERSE
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.” Hebrews 6:19
BACKGROUND
It’s morning, so my husband opens his phone to select his favorite gospel song, “My Soul Is Anchored.” The lyrics express hope in God in turbulent times.
Dan sings along, the words warning of billows rolling and breakers dashing. But we don’t sway, the song says, because God holds us fast.
The words perfectly describe the work of a ship’s anchor.
An anchor steadies a vessel by sinking its “arms” into the seabed, keeping the ship from drifting or getting tossed about during a violent squall.
The anchor has become a classic symbol of the Christian faith—reflecting our hope in Christ, to whom we hold tightly, even in life’s chaos. As the writer of Hebrews said, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).
This hope is Jesus, whose “unchanging nature” (v. 17) is a trusted holding ground for those who believe in Him. Moreover, what God promised He confirmed with an oath, and in these “two unchangeable things . . . it’s impossible for God to lie” (vv. 17-18).
That’s why we who hold on to His promises “may be greatly encouraged” (v. 18).
Some may anchor in unreliable things—their own ambition, unhealthy friends, or negative habits. How much better to anchor in the one whom we know we can trust and depend on. When the waves crash around us, we’ll be held fast. Our soul is anchored in God.
Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
The word translated “anchor” (ankyra) in Hebrews 6:19 is used four times in the New Testament. Three times the reference is to a ship’s anchor (Acts 27:29, 30, 40), a weighted iron connected to a rope or cable used to keep a ship in place.
The figurative usage in Hebrews 6:19 speaks of the reliability and trustworthiness of God’s promises and their impact on our soul. Other word pictures are used throughout Scripture to depict the dependability of God, who cannot lie (v. 18).
In Psalm 18:1-2, David leads with the word rock and then uses metaphors to celebrate God as his strength: “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Today, God is still the anchor for our soul, and we can trust Him.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
In what stormy sea of life have you held tightly to God? Why is He a trustworthy holding ground?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Some may anchor in unreliable things—their own ambition, unhealthy friends, or negative habits. How much better to anchor in the one whom we know we can trust and depend on. When the waves crash around us, we’ll be held fast. Our soul is anchored in God.”
PR’s TAKE
“When God is your anchor, no storm can move you.” Anonymous
As ships may not need an anchor in calm waters so believers cannot appreciate the strength of their anchor in calm times. Adapted – Charles Spurgeon
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
PRAYER
“I’m holding tight to You, dear God. Thank you for anchoring my soul amid all of life’s currents.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WILL YOUR ANCHOR HOLD…?”
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
It is safely moored; ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well-secured by the Savior’s hand.
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our boat o’erflow.
We have an anchor…
When our eyes behold through the gath’ring night
The city of gold, our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heav’nly shore,
With the storms all past forevermore.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
