Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Soul-Anchored Hope

SOUL-ANCHORED HOPE
Hebrews 6:13-20
V. 18: “God did this [confirmed that His nature remains unchanged with an oath] 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.”

Cassie, a fifth-grader with sandy hair and blue eyes, sat alone on the sing set during recess. Missy sat on the swing next to Cassie. “Want to play 4-Square, Cass?” Missy wondered.

Digging in her feet to spur her higher, Cassie didn’t respond. Suddenly, she put her feet down on the upswing and on the downswing to slow her swing to a stop. “You don’t want me to play with you anymore, Missy.”

“That’s not true!” Missy challenged.

“I overheard you tell Tiffany that your best friend was Brenda.”

Missy thought a moment. “Oh that! I get it, now. Cassie, I wanted to make Tiff jealous. Brenda was in tears because Tiffany didn’t want to come over to her house anymore, so I told Tiff that Brenda and I were best friends.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Honest! You’re really my best friend, and have been since third grade.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“It worked, too! Tiff called Brenda to see if they could get together that same day.”
Cassie stopped her swing and looked at Missy. “Oh. Are you and I still anchor friends—no matter what?”

Can you see Cassie’s face break out in a hopeful smile? Hopelessness is a terrible condition. It’s overwhelming and depressing. When God’s kids face something that they think can never be changed or resolved, life looks long and dark. They’re stranded, stuck where they don’t want to be—a place called despair. Their future is nowhere.

Emotional, mental, and sometimes physical illness can haunt someone who feels trapped in despair. But I want to tell you, my friend, that as long as there’s a God, nothing is hopeless. In Him we have a promise: Desire fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).

Believers have hope that anchors the soul. Our relationship with Jesus brings us close to the very throne of heaven. There, we can cast all our burdens before an all-powerful God. He provides us strength (Philippians 4:13), peace (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7, 2Thessalonians 3:16), and comfort (Psalm 119:76) for grieving hearts. He lights up and shortens our dark tunnel, gently guiding us past despair.

Take Home Nugget


“Of course, we’re still anchor-friends, Cassie!” Missy exclaimed. “No matter what!”
“Is the 4-Square still open for play, before recess ends?”

When trouble robs your very breath,
And tragedy steals away your days,
Remember that Jesus endured the sting of death:
Giving us hope that merits joy and praise.

J.D. Griffith
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