Anchor is a symbol of hope
“We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19
I wrote in my previous post how God confirmed Hebrews 6:19 and anchor as my verse and word for 2015. Immediately, I began to research the word anchor. I know the obvious, that an anchor is used to keep a boat stationary in the water, but I wanted to know more. My search began with the most common search of our technological age- Google.
What I discovered surprised me. An anchor is an ancient symbol of hope. The first century Christians used the anchor as a symbol of safety. An anchor is a figurative sense to indicate the immovability of God’s promise of salvation to those who believe in him. Luke’s account of Paul’s shipwreck and near-death-experience in the waters outside the island of Malta, describe Paul letting down the four anchors (Acts 27:29-30, 40). The unknown author of Hebrews uses Hebrews 6:19 in a figurative sense “where the hope of the gospel is compared to “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast”—that is, a spiritual support in times of trial.”
Anchors are made of wood, iron, or lead and are attached to a ship by rope, cable, or chain.
An anchor is a necessary piece of equipment for any vessel and important in navigation.
Anchors are used to keep boats from drifting.
Anchors keep boats and passengers safe.
Matthew describes Jesus’ first meeting of his soon-to-be disciples- Simon-Peter and Andrew:
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:18)
The first to follow Jesus were fishermen. Because of their occupation, an anchor would have been a common piece of equipment for Chr
ist’s first disciples — thereby making an anchor a recognizable symbol of unfailing hope for all who believe.
Now that I have anchor on my brain, it seems as if I see anchors everywhere. My friends are chiming in too when they spot an anchor. One friend told me she was invited to an anchor themed baby shower. Hours later, her husband sent me a link to an anchor sermon series. (Which I purposely haven’t watched yet. I want God to teach me directly about anchors and hope before I glean from someone else). Another friend called me excited that the song she was practicing on the piano was Cornerstone by Hillsong. Here are the lyrics to the chorus: Click here to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLxZEU02u
Yet another friend posted on my Facebook wall the lyrics to the song she recently heard at the Passion Conference. The song is My Anchor by Christy Nockels. Click here to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-meVpOhhQ
Whether you are in a season of smooth sailing or treacherous waters, remember in Christ we have an anchor of hope for our soul, firm and secure! Hang on!
~April
Photo credit: Courtesy of Pixabay
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