“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3 Earlier this week, we looked at the story of Paul on his journey to Rome. After battling the stormy seas for days, the ship finally found a place where they could use the anchors to hold the ship steady through the night. As we anchor in the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the strength and resistance that we need to face life’s challenges. In Luke 21:25-38, Jesus shares with His disciples some signs of the future. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great…

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 A physical anchor prevents a ship from drifting. It provides a sense of security when in troubled waters. So, spiritually, the anchor represents emotional security, inner stability, and calm in uncertain times. I have been reading the book of Job in my morning devotions. He probably faced more storms in a brief period than any other person who has ever lived. His wife taunted him for his faith, and his friends accused him of all sorts of wrongdoing. Sitting in the ash heap, using a piece of broken pottery to scrape the boils that covered his body, he questioned everything that he had ever believed. He bewailed the fact that he had ever been born, and at one point, he asked the Lord to just take his life. But he had an anchor that held secure. And he maintained his trust in God. Job 13:15-16 “Though he slay me, yet will I…

“Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day.”  Acts 27:29 For fourteen days, the wind and crashing waves had bombarded the ship. They cast everything they could spare overboard. Fear filled their hearts. It looked like all hope was gone. But one man among the two hundred and seventy-six aboard had a promise that he would reach Rome. In the night, God appeared to Paul with a message: Verse 23-26 “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”  That night, realizing they were nearing land, they put down four anchors to hold the ship steady until daylight came. As the crew tried to escape in the lifeboat, Paul warned them that only those who stayed with the ship would survive. As day dawned, they saw a way…

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Hebrews 6:18-19 When our children were young, and finances were low, we spent time together doing simple things. On Saturdays, we would go for drives in the country, exploring unfamiliar roads, and just enjoying being together. One of our favourite places to end up was Iroquois on the St. Lawrence River. It was interesting to watch as a large ship would enter the locks, the gates would close, and the water would slowly rise. Then the gates on the other end would open so the ship could leave to continue its journey. Often, there would be other ships in the river a short distance away. They were at anchor, waiting patiently for their turn to go through the locks. Their anchors held them securely in place until it was their turn. When I was praying and asking the Lord for direction for this week’s devotions,…