Christ, The Sure and Steady Anchor

Last week, Richard and I had the privilege of attending the Shepherd's Conference in Sun Valley, CA. It was a wonderful experience to join thousands of other pastors and leaders and be fed richly from God's word. If you're interested in hearing the messages, they should all be posted on the conference website in a week or so. You can also listen to message from past years.

One of the joys of being at the conference was being exposed to songs and hymns that I had never heard before. Most of the songs we sang came from a hymnal entitled Hymns of Grace. I received a free copy of that hymnal a couple years ago, and I keep it in my office.

One particular song that stood out to me is called "Christ, the Sure and Steady Anchor." In the hymnal, it's found in the section called "Living in Christ: Assurance and Eternal Life." The hymn itself is fairly new, but the message is one every generation can relate to (see the full text below). The mention of an anchor doesn't just recall the image of a boat in stormy seas, it also points us to the message of Hebrews 6. 

In Hebrews 6, God warns His people about the danger of falling away from Christ if we refuse to press on toward maturity. Tragically, those who abandon Christ and His message after having fully known the truth, have no hope of repentance. Instead of an eternal blessing, those who turn away from Jesus will receive judgment (Heb 6:1-8).

That's not God's desire for you. Instead, He wants you to continue in work and love and zeal. We need to stop being lazy and demonstrate perseverance (Heb 6:9-12).

The foundation of our perseverance is the truthfulness of God and His promises. We can stay faithful to God by remembering that He is faithful (Heb 6:13-17).

Hebrews 6:18 says "it is impossible for God to lie." With this confidence, God calls us to go to Him as our refuge. The hope of a Christian is based on the assurance of the work of Christ as our High Priest. And even in the stormiest times of life, this hope is a "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Heb 6:19-20).

What are the storms in your life right now? Persecution? Doubt? Relationship problems? Battle with sin? Sickness? Death? ... No matter what they are, Christ is stronger. And as the anchor, He will never let His little ones be destroyed. So cling to Him.

Christ, the sure and steady anchor, in the fury of the storm;
When the winds of doubt blow through me, and my sails have all been torn.
In the suffering, in the sorrow, when my sinking hopes are few;
I will hold fast to the anchor. It shall never be removed.

Christ, the sure and steady anchor, while the tempest rages on;
When temptation claims the battle, and it seems the night has won,
Deeper still then goes the anchor, though I justly stand accused;
I will hold fast to the anchor. It shall never be removed.

Christ, the sure and steady anchor, through the floods of unbelief;
Hopeless, somehow, O my soul, now lift your eyes to Calvary.
This my ballast of assurance, see His love forever proved.
I will hold fast to the anchor. It shall never be removed.

Christ, the sure and steady anchor, as we face the wave of death;
When these trials give way to glory as we draw our final breath.
We will cross that great horizon, clouds behind and life secure;
And the calm will be the better for the storms that we endure.

Christ, the shore of our salvation, ever faithful ever true.
We will hold fast to the anchor. It shall never be removed.

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