Daily Devotional | An Anchor for the Soul

When the S. S. Badger sails into the harbor in Ludington, Michigan, it drops anchor as it sails into port. The anchor secures the ship, which is 410 feet long and seven stories tall, as it pivots in the channel and backs into place. That piece of heavy forged steel plays a significant role.

Immediately following a passage that makes some people feel unsure about how secure they can be in their faith, the author emphasizes the assurance believers can have about their future. Verse 19 says the believer’s hope in Christ is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (v. 19). Our hope is secure because it depends upon the certainty of God’s promise.

The author singles out Abraham as evidence of this, not only because the Hebrew Christians to whom he writes would have traced their ancestry from him but mainly because Abraham is a prototype of all who believe (compare with Rom. 4:11, 16–17). Abraham’s example was especially relevant to the Hebrew Christians because he had to wait patiently in faith before obtaining the promise (v. 15). God confirmed His promise to Abraham with an unbreakable oath, swearing by Himself because “there was no one greater for him to swear by” (v. 13). The fact that God had said it guaranteed the outcome.

The point made in these verses is more than a simple assertion that God keeps His word. This is undoubtedly an aspect of what is being said. But the mention of the promises made to Abraham also shows the readers that those who trust in Christ are heirs of the promises made to Abraham. God said these things to Abraham so that “we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged” (v. 18). The guarantee granted to Abraham was also given to us.

Go Deeper

How can we “take hold” of the hope we have in Jesus? How does faith “anchor” our lives?

Pray with Us: Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” But today’s passage defines hope as something more substantial: “an anchor for the soul.” Jesus, thank You for this hope, “firm and secure” (Heb. 6:19).

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.