“Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.” Psalms 119:161 NLT When I read the above verse, I questioned myself, “When was the last time I trembled at the Word of God? We live in scary times, and our world seems to be getting worse by the day. The news is filled with tragedy, hate, and evil. It’s easy to become frightened during times of uncertainty. Still, David confidently proclaims that even though he is harassed, he isn’t afraid, and does not tremble at their threats. David only trembles at the Word of God.…
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 Anchors are particularly important equipment on any ship, and the crew probably inspects them daily to make sure that they are always ready when they need them. Are they rigidly attached to the ship, and is the cable strong? I live alone, and I recently obtained a Lifeline. No matter where I am, if I need assistance, pushing a button connects me to someone who can get me the help I need. If I should fall, someone is alerted. But it is of no value to me if I do not charge it daily and wear it all the time. We have a strong and reliable anchor in the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is important that we daily check to make sure that the connection is secure. Prayer: I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” Thanksgiving: I Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Word of God: Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine…
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17 The anchor can also be an indication of a new beginning or a starting point for a life journey. In the early days of Christianity, when the Romans persecuted followers of Jesus, the anchor became a secret symbol to represent Christ. It showed that their lives had changed direction. and they were committed to their faith. We can all think of ourselves as ships, sailing on the sea of life. At some point in our journey, we hear the Gospel message. We are faced with a decision, whether to sail on as we have been, or to change direction. When we realize how Jesus loves us, we repent of our sin and accept His forgiveness. We turn our ships around, drop anchor, and wait for His instructions. We begin to search the scriptures, pray for the Lord’s guidance, and listen to His voice each day. We learn how to know when to move and when to just stay still, for He has promised to show us the way. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know…
“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,…
“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…
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11 An anchor represents our steadfast hope in the promises of God. We come to the Lord in faith believing that His love for us will never fail, and that we can trust Him to guide us in every aspect of our lives. Under the old covenant, to enter the most Holy place would mean death. Only the High Priest could enter once a year, bearing the sacrifice for the sins of the people. Tied around his ankle was a rope, so that if he should die while inside, they could remove him without endangering anyone else. As Jesus drew His final breath on Calvary’s cross, something supernatural occurred in the temple in Jerusalem. The veil, that thick curtain which barred the way into the Holy of Holies, tore in two from the top to the bottom. Jesus’ death opened the way for all to enter. We can now come boldly into the very presence of Almighty God, for he hath said, “I will…