Doug Van Pelt

Hope...an anchor

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

I've seen many anchors in my life -- most with barnacles, rust and corrosion on it. They're all pretty heavy, even the smaller ones for tiny boats. They sink to the bottom, as long as the rope or chain allows, and dig into the sand and plows its hook in order to stop moving away. There will still be motion, but the boat won't wander away and get lost. I can think of turbulent times in life, where having something to anchor our souls is necessary. Tossing about and pitching can be disconcerting and uncomfortable, but getting lost is far worse. Having hope inside in the midst of a personal storm is a lifesaver.

Some background to this hope:

"When God made His promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.' And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged."

I like the idea of fleeing to take hold of the hope. Sometimes we have to let go of something and run to the hope. It's kind of like the person in a flood clinging to a tree having to let go of the tree in order to grab hold of the rescue rope or ladder. It's a concerted choice. It's not something we blindly fall into. Hope is a choice.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 2, 2006 08:21 AM