“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

— Hebrews 6:19

According to Dictionary.com, there are six definitions of the word "anchor" in its noun form.  Obviously, some of them do not apply to the type of anchor we're speaking about in this passage, but many of them do, and I'd like to share a few with you.

1. any of various devices dropped by a chain, cable, or rope to the bottom of a body of water for preventing or restricting the motion of a vessel or other floating object, typically having broad, hooklike arms that bury themselves in the bottom to provide a firm hold. - Obviously, this is the first image that comes to mind, right?  But I want to point out that last phrase - "to provide a firm hold."

2. any similar device for holding fast or checking motion - Holding fast.  Yes, an anchor is designed to promote stability.

3. a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay - Are you getting glory bumps yet?  Having confidence in God reminds us that He is our support, stability, security, and mainstay.  In fact, we covered many of those descriptors when we explored the names of God in the book of Psalms a little while back.  And yes, He can be relied on.

4. Military. a key position in defense lines. - Now, this I didn't know, but how cool is that?  If our confidence is an anchor (and it should be), that means it is a key position in our defenses against the attacks of Satan and this work.  That certainly makes sense to me.  When Satan comes and whispers that all hope is lost or the situation is too dire, our confidence in God holds us fast and allows us to recognize those lies for what they are.  Just as Jesus did in the wilderness, we defend ourselves with the Word of God, the promises of God, confident in His nature, goodness, and faithfulness.  Hallelujah!

Our hope in God is the very thing that will keep us from being swayed by the shifting winds of this world.  It will enable us to stand strong no matter the storm we're facing.  It will keep us stable and secure.

My friends, over the past several weeks, we’ve seen our world turned upside down. People around the world are sick and dying. The healthy have been quarantined to reduce the likelihood of catching this dreaded disease. People are scared to the point they are hoarding food (and strangely enough, toilet paper). Many have lost their jobs or are temporarily on leave. Money is tight. The future is uncertain. These are scary times and violent storms indeed. But despite all this, we can stand firm in God’s unchanging nature and unfailing power.

I just looked up at the picture on display that's accompanying the pirate music on YouTube I’m currently listening to. (Hey, when you’re writing about an anchor, you have to listen to pirate music, right?)  The image is that of a pirate ship (obviously) in the midst of a storm-tossed sea.  The white-capped waves portray recklessness.  The dark skies are ominous.  Yet despite the conditions surrounding it, the ship itself remains completely upright.  It's not leaning to one side or the other.  It doesn't appear battered or broken.  Instead, it is cutting through the waves, seemingly unaffected by the storm.  

We can be like that ship.  With confidence in God, we can remain upright and unaffected by the storm.  But we must make good use of the anchor.  It does no good if it remains stowed away.  Use it!  Let that confidence break forth.  Allow yourself to believe once and for all that God is good, His ways are right, and He will never, ever go back on His Word.

Shiver me timbers and anchors aweigh!