THE ANCHOR OF HOPE
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul.
A newsboy, drenched by the soaking rain, stood shivering in a doorway one cold day in November. Every few minutes he would cry out, "Morning paper! Morning paper!" A man who was well protected by his coat and umbrella stopped to by the early edition. Noting the boy’s discomfort, he said, "This kind of whether is pretty hard on you, isn’t it?" Looking up with a smile, the youngster replied, "I don’t mind too much, Mister. The sun will shine again." Chilling winds of adversity and gray skies of a sinful environment easily discourage us. But we can count on better days because we know God is working in our lives. This hope is called an "anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:19), and the Bible says that it does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). It promises righteousness (Galatians 5:5), eternal life (Titus 1:2), and the return of Jesus (Titus 2:13). It is a "living hope," founded from the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
When circumstances get out of control and pressures threaten to overwhelm us, we know that Jesus died for us, is working in us, and will never leave us. We can hold fast to God’s promises and patiently endure. The "anchor of hope" will hold us firm.
Tempter seek to lure astray, storms obscure the light of day: but in Christ I can be bold—I’ve an anchor that shall hold.
IT IS ALWAYS DARKEST JUST BEFORE DAWN.