Hold on to Hope
January 26, 2023
We went on a cruise this past summer. As we left the port, the sun was setting, the water was calm, and it was a beautiful scene. The next day the sea was black and churning. It was scary to think of that huge cruise ship being tossed around like a toy. By the next day, the waters were completely still, and a beautiful opaque blue-green color.
Life can be like that too – one day smooth sailing, the next day a storm looms on the horizon threatening to sink you. Many people describe hopelessness as drowning or sinking.
What do we hold on to in those storms of life? We hold on to hope. Hope is our anchor.
This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven. Hebrews 6:19
Troubles and trials are a natural part of life, and they help us to develop the hope that makes our anchor even stronger.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. 4 And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Romans 5:3-4
We develop a strong anchor as we hope and trust in God and in Jesus as our Savior. And we’re not anchored into sand, that shifts and slips, we are anchored into solid rock.
Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come? Psalm 62:2
God, himself, is a strong, secure rock and so being anchored to him provides assurance of safety.
24 “All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm winds beat against his house, it won’t collapse, for it is built on rock.
26 “But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish, like a man who builds his house on sand. 27 For when the rains and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
Our hope of salvation is our faith in Jesus as our Savior. We demonstrate that faith by trusting God and obeying His Word which anchors us firmly to Him.
Evil men have tried to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your laws. Psalm 119:61
Disaster strikes like a cyclone and the wicked are whirled away. But the good man has a strong anchor. Proverbs 10:25
Without that strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, we have no hope. Without faith there is no hope. Without Christ there is no hope.
Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies of God’s children, and he had promised you no help. You were lost, without God, without hope. Ephesians 2:12
Ours is a fallen world, subject to the ravages of sin. Storms of violence and cyclones of anger threaten our world daily. Hopelessness is mounting. But we who are anchored tight to the Rock of Ages know where our help comes from. It comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth. It comes from Jesus, Christ who has overcome the world and defeated death. This is the hopeful message we have for a world of people going under – even in the storms you can have a firm anchor of hope in salvation.
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15
Hope-filled Blessings,
Jen