Connecting Point: Promises Kept - The Letter to the Hebrews

Has someone made you a promise and failed to follow through? Have you ever broken a promise? If we are honest I would presume all of us can answer “yes” to both questions. The simple truth is we are broken people living in a broken world; however, we have hope. Perseverance and grit are Christ-like

characteristics to develop throughout the course of our life.

Although we have no way to know exactly, most reckoning suggests that by the time this letter was penned, the larger following of Jesus was already in the thousands. In this document converts from among the Jews wanted, maybe craved, a certain belief in trust. The author writes: “When God made his promise to Abraham since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.”

The author continues: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek,” (Hebrews 6:13-20).

The Christians hope is found in two concrete truths; God’s oath and promise. We are so accustomed to others breaking promises and even shrugging at liars. Do we then transfer disbelief in the Bible?

Because of Jesus, we have an anchor which sustains us in turbulent times. It’s impossible for God to lie, Abraham and Sarah received God’s promise; they naturally conceived in their old age and the Israelite nation grew.

The following are four points that give us encouragement in understanding Jesus as the anchor of our soul: One, an anchor holds a water vessel in the storm just as Jesus sustains us in troubling times. Anchors are used in both stormy waters and calm waters, but their purpose becomes lifesaving against tempests.

Two, an anchor can save a ship from total destruction just as Jesus can save our soul from an eternity in hell. Eternal separation from God is the greatest risk we face. This letter clarifies this.

Three, an anchor provides stability for those aboard a water vessel just as Jesus gives us strength to endure whatever we face. Like you, I do wish that Jesus could deliver us from all pain and sorrow. This is child’s play. Nature is not so defined. King David the psalmist spoke of his hope, “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me,” (Psalm 54:4).

Four, an anchor allows a water vessel to maintain course after the storm passes just as Jesus provides a sure footing for our faith when the turbulent times wane. Persevering faith in Jesus keeps us from being tossed around by deceitful schemes and foolhardy plans (Ephesians 4:14).

You can trust in Jesus, his promises never fail!