An Anchor for the Soul

Text: Hebrews 6:16-19

Minister James Smith brought the word to our congregation today in Pastor Durham’s absence. His message was called “An Anchor for the Soul.” It came from Hebrews 6:16-19. To begin, Minister Smith gave us a little background about the book of Hebrews in general. It addresses the believer facing unbelief and disobedience, and encourages the saints to stand firm in the faith. The theme of faith is a constant throughout this epistle.

In keeping with the theme of Black History Month, our ancestors had to stand firm in the faith, or our people wouldn’t be where they are today. In the face of degradation, our forefathers had to be strong and unwavering to make it through. During segregation, which was a very visible, unmistakable form of inequality and injustice, Blacks had to have something to keep them together and lifted up. The book of Hebrews is all about faithfulness.

Somewhere along the way, we lost some of that passion that kept us together. We should look out for each other! Why do we tear each other down? We should be doing the exact opposite. Somewhere along the way, we have gotten comfortable, with our noses sneered up at out brothers and sisters. God got us where we are today. A very important lesson for all people to learn is to not forget where they came from. No matter what it looks like, we are still struggling. Don’t take any of it for granted.

To reference the lesson illustrated in the text, Paul was speaking about oaths. Whenever you take an oath to do something, you are calling on something that has greater power than you do. We swear by oaths to do the “right thing.” If we don’t, the oath also binds you to be punished. God was the ultimate in faithfulness. He bound himself to an oath. We can depend on His truthfulness. His word is truth. He can’t lie! God has promised us that if we come to him in all honesty, asking to be saved, he will do just that. His word is compared to an anchor for our souls.

An anchor is a heavy iron instrument that holds ships down in a fixed position. When the angry seas are tossing that ship to and fro, the anchor is supposed to keep it in the right place. That’s what God’s word does for the believer. Our lives get rough, just like the seas. And God is our anchor, never failing, dependable, trusted to do what He is supposed to do. Ask yourself :Is my soul anchored?

 

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