Devotions

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19, NKJV).

The anchor referred to in this passage of scripture is hope. It is not the hope of this wicked world but rather the hope founded on God’s oath to keep, bless and govern those who trust him. It is a hope that moves us past the veil, which represents our shallow faith, into walking confidently in Christ.

This hope alone is our anchor in the storm falling on the earth at this present time. The writer of Hebrews admonished, “Do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

God made an oath to the “heirs of promise,” all who are in Christ. He vowed to end all strife, all doubts, so that “…we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18). God has sworn to fulfill his promises, and it is impossible for him to lie. He kept his word to Abraham; he will keep his word to you as you trust him.

We need strong consolation in these times. Sometimes a pat on the back or a platitude aren’t enough. God knew that there would be moments when we needed to feel his firm hand holding ours, pulling us back from the brink of unbelief and despair. This chapter in Hebrews holds us fast and anchors us to God’s promises.

After all is said and done and all the sermons on hope have been preached, it comes down to this: Are we willing to commit everything into his hands, rest in his Word and stand without wavering in the love of God? Are you fully convinced his promises will be fulfilled?

You can take that kind of faith beyond the veil into the holy of holies!

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

If you were to ask me what is happening in the world right now, I would answer, “Everything Jesus warned us would happen in the last days!” He foretold that men’s hearts would fail them for fear of what is happening on earth. He warned of earthquakes in various places, nation rising against nation and ethnic group against ethnic group. We have lived to see the beginning of all the end-time prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes.

What did Jesus tell us to do when we see this? “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Now, this sounds counter-intuitive because it’s a natural human response to be anxious when we see and hear dire news. We read the prediction of earthquakes in the Bible, and here they are in today’s headlines. Rumors of wars and uprisings today echo old prophesies that are now coming to life before our very eyes. We are flooded with foreboding; our adrenaline spikes, and we can feel the anxiety coursing through our veins.  Our hearts “fail us for fear.” Will we make it? Will our families survive?

Jesus is adamant. “Look up,” he says. “Stay focused on me.” He continually pulls our thoughts back to him. Psalm 46:2 should be written on our hearts: “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” David’s calming words are a reminder that God has brought us this far and he will take us to the finish line.

God’s desire is that we draw close to him and never forget that he has all things under his control. Let your heart be encouraged that he is coming soon. Our redemption is at hand! “Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering; for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

David gives us a clear picture of Jesus’ attitude in the face of the coming storm. Peter preached from David’s psalms, which speak prophetically of Christ, saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken” (Acts 2:25, NKJV). The literal meaning here is “I was always in his presence, beholding his face.” David added, “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope” (Acts 2:26).

Here is the secret: Jesus kept the Father always before his face! He continually sought out secret places to be shut in with his Father. It was only after being in God’s presence that Christ came forth to minister, fully persuaded that his Father was always with him. “He’s right beside me and nothing on this earth can move me.” The Greek word for move here means “agitated, shaken or disturbed.” Jesus was saying, “No evil, trouble or misfortune can cast me down or shake my confidence. My Father is in complete control.”

Beloved, if we’re going to face the coming storm, we must be prepared so nothing disturbs our spirit. The only way to do that is to spend time in the Father’s presence beholding his face. We have to be shut in with him in prayer, practicing his presence, seeking him until we’re thoroughly persuaded that he is at our right hand.

The Lord assures us, “Don’t be moved or agitated by anything you see. Keep your eyes focused on me and you’ll retain your joy.” Peter quoted the psalms and David’s words, saying, “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28).

He was essentially declaring, “I faced everything that you will face in the closing days of time. I had the same foreboding because I saw the coming storm. I ran into the presence of my Father, and he calmed my spirit by showing me the outcome. In his presence I found all the joy, hope and rest I would ever need to the very end.”

My flesh will rest in hope.

God is concerned that we are being shaken in our faith, that we don’t trust him during a crisis. Beloved, our worst sin is our unwillingness to believe he will do what he promised. That offends him more than adultery, fornication, drug or alcohol abuse or any other sin of the flesh. He desires – he requires – trust in him.

His Word says, “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:9 NKJV). “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

These verses are either the gospel or they are lies. If they are the gospel, it is vital that we stand on them. God wants us to be able to say, “Lord, if I die standing here, trusting you to see me through, then let me die in faith. Live or die, I’m yours.”

Now, I admit that’s radical. Could you go that far to say, “live or die?” Many of Jesus’ followers did. They and countless others through the centuries had that uncompromising faith, many even unto death. They weren’t superhuman or endowed with special gifts. What they did have was the real deal, a faith that subdued every doubt and fear. They stood solid on the promises of God. They said, “Let all the winds and waves of hell come at me. I stand in the shadow of his wings, and that’s all I need.”

God yearns to bring you into that place of trust. He wants you never again to fear but to truly rest in his power and ability. He knows how to deliver you from all snares, trials and temptations. There is peace unlimited in that place. When we fully trust in the Lord, we can say with songwriter Thomas Chisholm,

“Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness!”

If there is one word that expresses God’s nature, it’s harmony. From the moment he spread out the heavens and filled the earth with life, every component worked together. We see this symphony all around us, from the stars to the jungles to the hidden caverns deep in the ocean.

It is the same with humans. God designed every part of us to work together in divine synchronicity. Today, even with our advanced knowledge, we have only scratched the surface of the interconnection between mind, body and spirit.

What we know for sure is that good, balanced health is up to us and that we are stronger in some areas than in others. Squeezing in time for physical exercise competes with my need to spend time with God. My phone and computer threaten me with mental overload, and I’m then stressed around my loved ones. Where do we find balance?

First, ask God to show you the areas in your life that need nourishment. Sometimes we even need to ask for desire and motivation. Ask for wisdom, for resources, for help from others. He is the source, so ask big! Scripture gives us a boost of faith: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).

Second, take it one step at a time. One phone call to encourage someone, ten minutes in prayer or a walk around the block are more beneficial than you think. It’s important to set realistic goals that give us confidence to move forward.

Third, reach out. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Asking for help honors God and gives others an opportunity to serve. People in leadership often struggle with this, feeling like they should always be the ones to help. It’s important to remember how much Jesus relied on his disciples and modeled relational living.

Don’t underestimate your value. You and I are exquisitely designed and worthy of care. As “instruments of righteousness” (see Romans 6:13), our lives are a song of praise to our creator. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).