In these turbulent days, what are you holding on to? In today’s world, we are seeing Erwin Lutzer’s words come to pass – “we would surrender our liberties for our security.” We want to be safe and secure at any cost. Understandably. We have this great comfort as believers, we learn that our true security is that Jesus is holding on to us and He will never let us go. Nothing surprises the Lord and whatever happens must go through Him first. No matter how our plan goes, our way, or not – God is in control.
Anchor our hearts
I have always been curious about anchors, this rugged piece of iron inspires me. When needed, the anchor is meant to secure and keep the boat in place. It digs into the ocean floor, connecting the floating vessel to something that doesn’t move. No matter what is happening at the surface the boat is connected to something greater than itself. These simple illustrations remind me of the cross. The cross is our ugly “anchor” this is our true security and hope as a believer. The power of the cross is our great guarantee and gateway to transformation.
Where is our anchor lying in? What are you entrenched in? Our mindset and our disposition will be one of rest or anxiety. Our rest and peace reveal the devil’s defeat in our lives because we are grounded in truth.
Read: How to Hear God’s Voice
The writer illustrates in Hebrews 6:19:
“We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure….”
God holds us in the place of favor and His presence. No matter what happens He never lets us go. The immovable God keeps us in turbulent times. As the waves and billows roll we are held firm in the keeping power of God.
The singer Ray Boltz shares this in his song ‘The anchor holds’ :
The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm
It is our choice in what security we live in. Our faith must be anchored in
- Someone infinitely greater than ourselves
- Something that is infinitely wiser than us
- Somewhere that doesn’t originate from us
God’s grip on us never loosens, no matter where we roam.
Assign our minds
As a teacher would give an assignment in the classroom so that the student can focus and work through the information that was presented earlier. So we must assign our thoughts to “work through” and rest in the truth that we have received. In Philippians 4:7-8 we see 8 realities of truth to meditate on to enter into His perfect peace. Peace is more than a place of comfort it is a place of protection from the evil one.
With all the information that is in the “air” today, we can enter into fear very easily. How do we guard against this? We must learn to speak to ourselves in truth rather than listen to ourselves. This is a way to enter true security in our minds.
Here are some ways to practice this:
- Write and speak out loud personal promises from the Bible
- Meditate prayerfully on the promises to make them personal
- Memorize and share Biblical promises with others. The more you share the more it is reinforced within,
Take time now to make a list of “defensive” promises that encourage you, and “offensive” promises that define and resist the devil’s lies.
Don’t let your heart defeat your mind. Feed on divine truths and be one step ahead of fear, anxiety, and daily stresses.
Act in agreement
The demonstration of our faith comes through action. Our faith takes on legs and moves in the motivation of love. Imagine praying as though God had already answered your prayer? This would dramatically change our expectations and boost confidence in the way that we pray. We are so time and answer conscious, God doesn’t dwell in time, even though He is sensitive to our needs. He is not limited to them; time only hides what God has completed.
The prophet Amos asks a critical question in Amos 3:3 “How can two walk together unless they are agreed?” Agreement means we are thinking and walking in the same direction. One must concede their differences and preference to achieve the arena of unity. It is either my way or God’s way. Agreement with God releases His power.
Here are a few ways to agree:
- Recognize there is more than our way
- Acknowledge we don’t know everything
- Commit to honoring God above getting our way
God has a voice in every season – speaking HOPE. The prophet Isaiah spent 40 years preaching to the nation of Israel about things to come, very few would listen. His declaration in Isaiah 33:6 is relevant today “wisdom and knowledge is the stability (security) of your times….” He knew difficulties were coming and his warning would be realized eventually in captivity. God used the prophet Jeremiah as he pleaded and wept for the nation of Israel to embrace Godly wisdom. Captivity for 70 years taught the nation critical lessons that our only true security is in Jesus. Rest in His power and strength Jesus will prevail.
Psalms 107:29-30 He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. They rejoiced in the silence and He guided them to the harbor they desired.
Jason is a graduate from Maryland Bible College and Seminary, and presently he leads the Pastoral Care Team of Greater Grace Church in Baltimore. Since age 16, Jason has been involved with mission work among the former Soviet-Bloc countries in Eastern Europe, as well as in Asia, and in the United States. While living in Ukraine, he helped church plant three new churches that continue to thrive today under trained nationals. He has also written five books and has his own podcast (www.InnerRevolution.us)
Great tweet… great message of hope…???????? We must let his words of truth define how we see ourselves and our circumstances. After all what else is able to transcend time into eternity. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. God magnified his word above his name(as important as his name is) because it is his word that declares and defines who He is and what He is like. He is our anchor, our unchanging hope. ????????
Amen Larry! This is the living hope that we have – in these uncertain times he is certain, faithful and above all.