Four Anchors for the Soul

I suppose most people would associate an anchor with boats or ships. A ship's anchor is used to grip the sea bottom so the ship does not drift about aimlessly.

Collins Concise Dictionary defines the word anchor as:

1. (noun) A device attached to vessel by a cable and dropped overboard so as to grip the bottom and restrict movement.

2. An object used to hold something else firmly in place.

3. A source of stability or security.

4. (verb) To use an anchor to hold a (vessel) in place.

5. To fasten or be fastened securely; fix or become fixed firmly.

In Acts chapter 27 we read the account of the apostle Paul's voyage as a prisoner to Rome. However the ship gets caught in a huge storm at sea; which lasts about fourteen days.

Acts 27:27-29, "(27) Now when the fourteenth night had come, and we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. (28) And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. (29) Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for the day to come."

Note the extreme peril - they dropped four anchors to try and prevent the ship from being driven on to the rocks and smashing up. The anchors held the ship safely until daylight when they cut them loose and sailed into a place where two seas met. The bow stuck fast in the sand, but the stern began to break up with the violence of the waves.

The outcome was good - everyone on board made it safely to land. Two hundred and seventy six souls were saved. If it had not been for the four anchors the outcome would have been very different.

When the storms of life come along, and they will, what anchors of the soul can we use?

Jude verses 20 and 21 contain four solid anchors for our souls.  "(20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

Now an anchor is not much use unless it is used! The four anchors in these verses are action words. Building - praying - keep - looking. If you want these as anchors for your soul, you have to use them! In other words to gain maximum stability and security we have to drop the anchors ourselves. They need to be firmly grounded in God's love.

An anchor needs hooks to grip the sea bottom. Most anchors have either one hook or two hooks. I am going to suggest we use four hooks on our anchors.

Building, let's look at 1 Timothy 6:11, 12 for some practical instructions in building a good testimony and walk before God. "(11) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life..."

Praying in the Holy Spirit; praying should be a habitual practice for all Christians. Let's consider the early church and their practices. Acts 2:42, " And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. One of the four main practices of those early believers was communal prayers. Not just individual prayers as an individual, but prayers on behalf of all those gathered together. It is our means of communication with our God. Praying in the Holy Spirit can only come from those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; in other words those who are led by the Holy Spirit.

Keep yourselves in the love of God. Keeping has the thought of maintaining ourselves in a set position and guarding this. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, "(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (17) That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Looking, not just a casual glance but looking expectantly for a desired outcome. 1 Peter 1:3, 4, "(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (4) To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you."

We have considered four anchors each with four hooks; anyone of which will stand you in good stead throughout life.  If huge storms come into your life you can let down all four anchors knowing you will be able to ride out those storms; because your soul is firmly anchored in God's words and God's love.

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Word enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point]

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