Paper Souls

Hebrews 6:19 -  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil

Hope = an absolute certainty of a future good.

  - Peter Anderson put it "Hope is faith in the future tense."

 
How easily it seems, that when some wind of trial and circumstance blows our way; some bad news, some concern about an unmet need,some pinch, some insult or hurt or sickness;   when such winds cross our paths, our souls seem like paper boats caught by the wind,and carried along at the wind’s pleasure. In life the winds will surely come, but how we long for strength and stability during those times. Paper Souls, like paper boats don’t have weighty anchors. Sometimes I felt like a paper soul, have you?

For both ancient and modern sailing vessels, the stabilizing effect they had in wind and storms depended on their anchors.  The anchor typically had two “flukes” or teeth for securing it to the ocean floor. The anchor became an emblem of security and stability in the ancient world, especially among the early Christians. They were painted on their ancient cemetery and meeting place in Rome, called the Catacombs.   

Like the two teeth of the anchors made to lay hold of the ocean floor, God gave us anchor with two teeth as well.  One is his promise.  We can trust in Christ to hold us during uncertain times.  God cannot lie and therefore His Word cannot fail.  I am convinced the more we treat His promises as real – the more real they become in our lives – the more metal is put in our soul as well as the comfort that comes from “full assurance” of Christ’s hold on us. God gave Abraham a promise of a son – even though Abraham had to wait 30 years for it to be fulfilled.  But Abraham believed God’s promise. 

As sure as God’s word is, it’s a comfort to know He understands a frailty.  He gave Abraham His promise – but He also gave Him an Oath – a Covenant.  This oath was solely for his benefit.  It was an aid to his faith.  What a wonderful thought that God comes down to us in such a way – to help shore up our faith.  He doesn't rebuke the need but meets it in what has been called God’s “condescending grace.” 

Blessed is the person who can believe in the finished work of Christ.  He gave us His son … what more can He give?  The Blood Christ Himself becomes His oath to us.  If we lay hold of Christ, He will surely lay hold of us.  Confidence in the storms comes from continuing to lay hold of Christ.  He has “entered behind the veil.”  Heaven holds its children.  Souls become anchored by the Love of God; a weighty anchor for the soul both sure and steadfast. 

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.