“Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf…” (Hebrews 6:17–20, NIV84)

This is absolutely one of my favorite sections of Scripture on the topic of hope.  Paul has the most profound statements here on what makes our Christian hope so unique and important.  Let’s start with verse 19, where Paul says that “this hope is an anchor for the soul…”  What an incredible image.  It is our soul that is immortal.  It is our soul that gets weighed down by the brokenness of this world and is in direct need of hope.  Paul says that our hope, as Christians, is like an anchor.  An anchor is what is used when a ship wants to secure itself.  It locks into something solid, so the ship can be secure, even in the worst of conditions.  What better analogy for what hope means for us.  It anchors into something solid so we can make it through the tough times in life.

And where is this hope anchored?  It is anchored in the “inner sanctuary”; the holy of holies in Heaven.  It is anchored in the most holy place in all existence.  It is the place where the glory of God dwells.  It is the place that Jesus entered as our redeemer to proclaim to the Father that the work of redemption was done and mankind was righteous once again.  We have been made righteous through Jesus’ death on the cross.  He paid the price so we would not have to.  Could there be a more secure place for our hope to be anchored?  Heaven is unchanging, certain and true, unlike the world in which we live.  So, Paul says in verse 17 that “…God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs (you and me) of His promise.…”  So what did He do?  He made an oath by which we swore upon His very nature and His Word.  God cannot deny Himself.  He cannot lie or contradict Himself.  He is good, merciful, just, loving and compassionate.  It is into all of this spiritual certainty that we throw our anchor of hope.  Our hope could not be more firm and secure!

Where is your hope anchored today?  Read the verses above and join me in putting yours where mine is going– into the certain and unchanging heavenly realms.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church