As I write this article (1987), I am overlooking the beautiful harbor of Singapore. Lying at anchor in that harbor are more than 150 ships of different sizes and shapes. As I have sat here from time to time and observed them, it is interesting to watch how each ship faces the tide. If the tide is coming in, they face the ocean; if it is going out, they face the mouth of the Singapore River. However, because the ships are securely anchored in the harbor, they remain in their respective places. They are neither washed aground nor out to sea by the moving tide. Why? Because their anchors hold them in their places.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews had something to say about an anchor. He wrote, “…that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” (Hebrews 6:18-19). Let the storms of life come to tempt us, bringing in their sorrow and doubt; let the false prophet attempt to lead us astray with his great swelling words of false doctrines. Neither will be able to move us who have that anchor both sure and steadfast. It will keep us safely moored. Shall we cast off our moorings and be cast against the rocks and crags on the shores of eternal destruction for the love of power, popularity, pseudo peace or numbers? We have our anchor of hope securely attached to the Gospel and the Rock of Ages of that Gospel. There is no hope apart from it.
Hear the apostle Paul. “…That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12-13). Shall we now forsake the eternal verities of God’s holy Word through which our blessed hope comes, to wander aimlessly upon the wild and raging seas of the theories, philosophies and false doctrines of men? Some of these are now being advanced by our own brethren, which will lead those overcome by them to be ultimately dashed against the shores of destruction.
We sing the words of a song, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the rock which cannot move; grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” Let us ever keep our lives deeply imbedded in that rock so that we may enjoy the eternal bliss of heaven when this life is over.
