Safely Anchored.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV
A number of years ago I embarked on a wreck dive just off the coast of Umkomaas on the South Coast. The sea there is notoriously temperamental and our boat arrived at the dive site just as the current really began to pick up. It was a touch and go decision whether to continue with the dive, and some divers decided rather to spend the time in the boat on the surface.
Within moments of descending into the darkened waters I felt they had made the right call. We descended to the wreck and painstakingly made our way against the current. Sadly, at this point I had abandoned any interest in the marine life on the wreck and was focused on survival.
Looking down-current, I could see nothing but a deep dark expanse, and the fear of being swept away into it began to take hold of me. My hands were being sliced by the rusted metal of the wreck as I held on. Cold compressed air burned my throat and I fought to control my breathing knowing that the limited supply in the air cylinder needed to be used sparingly if I wanted to complete the dive safely. After just twenty minutes I was exhausted and terrified, looking down-current again I was relieved to see that someone had tied a line to the far end of the wreck and that divers were beginning to ascend up the line to the safety of the surface. I was able to let go and drift towards that life line. As I approached the line I grabbed it tightly, the rope burns were irrelevant as the security of an anchored escape line calmed and assured me. I praise God for bringing me safely through that dive and especially for that anchored live.
That is the assurance that Jesus gives us. Having died in our place, He has gone as a forerunner and secured a way out. We need not fear being swept away into an eternal darkness, but can faithfully rest on the sufficiency of His sacrifice, to atone for our sin and restore us to the Father. He is the High Priest who has gone before to make sure we can follow safely in His way. If He has overcome death itself, there is nothing that He cannot overcome.
Prayer
Dear Father God Almighty, Thank You for Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for all that He went through, in faithful obedience to You and out of His love for You and for us. Thank You that He completed His victory over sin and death on the cross, and thank You that He has invited us to us to follow in faith. As He has overcome death itself Lord, please remind us that He overcomes all things. Please help us to hold tightly to the hope He brings, and help us to share that hope with others. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' Name
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
Oh Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
Service
We are blessed to be given the right to become children of God (John 1:12) by the blood of the eternal covenant. As we have trusted in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ let us trust that His Gospel has the power to overcome all things and change the lives of all people. Meditate on what Jesus has already done for us and then pray for God to show you who to share Christ’s incredible hope with today, and in the week to come. Encouraging people through the storms of this day is not just our responsibility, it is our privilege. May the Lord bless and strengthen you in the knowledge of His unceasing love for us, and His great power for all eternity.