The Trustworthy Anchor

Hebrews 6:18-19 (NLT)
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

When was the last time you were in trouble or in a fight with someone you love? Have you ever been in a fight with yourself? Whenever conflict exists, the issue needs to be settled somehow. This can look like a lot of different things, but some sort of resolution needs to occur for everyone to be able to move on.

We’ll see in the next few weeks how Jesus is both Mighty God and Prince of Peace and how often peace and hope go hand in hand. Hope can be born out of a place of restlessness or unfulfillment or sheer weariness. Hebrews 6 reminds that hope is a steadying force. It is an anchor for our souls when we have become restless or find ourselves in the middle of a storm on a sea.

It can be difficult when we feel hopeless to pick ourselves up. We need someone stronger to help lift us up out of the depths or to feel safe and offer refuge. Jesus as Mighty God is here to do just that. And to restore our hope. To keep our eyes fixated on Him so when we stumble, we know there is a hand out there to grab hold of, to steady us.

When was the last time you were honest with Jesus about how you’re really doing and what’s really going on? We often hold back from being transparent in our prayers even though He already knows. He knows the really good and the really bad. We think that maybe if I don’t say anything, He’ll just forget that I’m not that great. But Jesus is there with his mighty arms stretched out to you. To help lift you. To restore your hope. So you can rest in and believe He can and will do what he sets out to do.

Lectio Divina Practice
As you walk through the Lectio Divina today, read the scripture above and meditate on it, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you.

1. 1. Silencio: Come into God’s presence. Quietly prepare your heart to meet with and hear from Him.  Slow down, relax, release the noisy thoughts that crowd your mind over to him.

   2. Lectio: Read the scripture above slowly and out loud, let words resonate with you. Be aware of words that stick out to you. When a word or phrase grabs your attention, stop reading. Sit with it. Open your hearts to what God is saying to you. Underline the phrase, make notes of what you’re hearing. Don’t analyze it or judge it. Listen and wait.

   3. Meditatio: Meditate. Read the Scripture a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in this word. Reflect on the importance of the words that light up to you.

   4. Oratio: Respond, pray. Read the Scripture a third time. Now is the moment to enter into a personal conversation with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The important thing is to respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings has the text brought about in you? Talk about where you are feeling resistant or want to push back, and of where you feel invited into a deeper way of being with God.

   5. Contemplatio: Contemplate, rest and wait in the presence of God. Allow some time for the word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God. Before you leave, you might consider a reminder that can help you dwell on this word throughout the day.

Family Moments
Read Hebrews 6:18-19 together. Share together about times when life felt turbulent or hard. Did you have an anchor in those times? Why is it important to have an anchor? How did God help you and give you hope? Some troubles are really big and some are smaller, but they are all important to God. We can always go to Jesus when we need help and hope.