Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 5, 2017
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18
In conversations everyday, everywhere, people express their desires. “I hope I get to go on vacation.” “I hope I don’t lose my job.” “I hope that I get married.” In our world, the word “hope” is used to describe a sort of wish, a “maybe-it-will-happen, maybe-it-won’t” kind of thing.
This worldly hope is no hope at all—but hope in Christ is a firm and secure anchor for the soul. Hebrews 6:19 describes the hope we have in Christ.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
The soul, according to the biblical definition, is the mind, the will, and the emotions. An anchor serves to hold a boat firmly. Therefore, when the winds of life are blowing, and the waves are rolling, and circumstances surrounding your purpose and life aren’t going how you planned, hope in God is an anchor to keep your mind, your will, and your emotions steady.
There is, however, a very interesting thing about having one’s mind, will, and emotions anchored in the hope that is Christ. If you believe you have no anchor, even though you do, you will respond as if the wind and waves of life are overtaking you and that you are perishing. When you could have peace, you’ll be panicking, fretting and feeling hopeless. Even though God has said that you have a firm and secure hope, you will respond like you have no anchor. Sometimes, we only receive the benefits of faith by believing in faith.
In the book of Mark, Jesus was in a boat with the disciples. He was sleeping in the stern on a cushion when a furious wind began. Terrified, the disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” They panicked. Jesus rebuked the waves and said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples had The Anchor in their boat, but when the wind came, they panicked and acted like they didn’t.
There are some things that God has given that are undeniably yours, but you will only experience the joy and peace of knowing they are yours by believing. You have a hope, steady and secure.
If you belong to Christ, you are tethered to Christ. During this Christmas Season, He is, and always will be your Anchor.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
Prayer
Lord, I praise you that because you came and because you love me that I have hope that does not disappoint. Help me to live in the truth of your undeniable hope. Amen.Application
Think about someone who you are hesitant to love, or who you have refused to love because they are different than you. Ask the Lord to show you how you can demonstrate your grace and love to them.Related Reading
Psalm 43:5; Romans 5:5-10; Romans 8:28-29Post/Tweet today
If you belong to Christ, you are tethered to Christ. He is, and always will be your Anchor of Hope. #WisdomHunters #LiveinHopeWorship Resource
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