My Anchor Has Holding Power

I prayed with a friend a few days ago, and out of the blue (that “blue” being heaven, I’m sure) I said: "Lord, anchor her so she doesn’t drift with the winds and the storms. May her anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may she stand strong, unscathed and unwavering."

You see this young woman was struggling with family concerns that had her looking from a natural, going-under mindset. We all understand those times. We have winds and waves vision that doesn’t see the possibilities of a better day and outcome. We can only see that HUGE wave coming to take us down. Remember Peter when he asked to go to Jesus Who was walking on the water? Jesus told him to come and his faith got him out of the boat and, with his eyes on Jesus, he was literally walking on the water toward Him. But, then, instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, he turned and looked at the rough waters and he began to sink. We know the beautiful ending of that story. His loving Friend, the Lord, picked him up and saved him. I’ve got to hand it to Peter. He, at least, got out of the boat!

I think we can all agree that we are in perilous times and the winds and the waves are all around. If ever we need to be sure-footed, and sure-anchored, it's today. We will fall to the pressures and concerns when we aren’t “anchored” to our “Solid Rock”. When we think of an anchor, we usually picture the heavy object that's tied to a ship that keeps it secure to the bottom of the sea. In Scripture, an anchor is used to represent God and faith -- that which keeps us steadfast and gives us hope during the trials and storms of life. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that it is our hope that is the "anchor for our soul".

God provides Himself as our anchor so sure that no storm can overwhelm us. An anchor brings “comfort” to sailors because it gives them assurance that they’re not completely at the mercy of the elements. And our Anchor gives us assurance that we aren’t at the mercy of our circumstances. Believe me. I’ve been at the mercy of the storms -- feeling hopeless. But when I grab hold of my Anchor -- and hold fast to Him as He holds fast to me, I find my peace and confidence.

God is our HOPE ANCHOR. Hebrews 6:19 " We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure." His anchor draws us to Him for peace, joy, comfort, refuge, balance, security, wisdom and all those other "necessities" that cause us to be strong-footed and tethered to THE ROCK that keeps us unwavering in our hope and faith. Today I pray that you are anchored in God so that you don't drift with the winds and the storms. May your Anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may you stand strong, unscathed and unwavering. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

We Don't Know What to Do, But Our Eyes Are on You

We live in a mighty crazy, shaky world. Everything seems to be going our way when, in a moment's notice, we can be gripped with fear, concern, and worry. At those times, if we’re keeping our eyes on Jesus, we’ll stand strong no matter what the circumstances are that are swirling around us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus will keep us strong during those shaky times.

When the Israelite King Jehoshaphat first heard about three fierce armies coming to attack his kingdom, we read: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Jehoshaphat praised God before he cried out, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Life happens. Those times when we don’t know what to do or where to go. We’re quite willing to be directed by God to do and go – but sometimes the doing and going is hard to figure out. I’ll never forget when, like Jehoshaphat, we faced armies of our own. During my husband’s illness, there were many do-gooders who gave us advice. “Take this nutritional product. Trust God. Try this doctor. Go to this facility. Don’t eat this or that.” And, even some well-meaning people, with well-meaning intentions, told us of their own awful experiences or someone they knew who had died from the same illness.

How can we graciously respond to the voices and not give in to fear? God answered King Jehoshaphat — and all of us — by saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron 20:15).
When Jehoshaphat and his armies were confronted with an overwhelming challenge, they prayed instead of worrying. They moved their eyes off the problem onto the ultimate Problem-Solver. Although they didn’t know what to do, they were filled with God’s inexplicable peace as they walked in faith.

Our family did the same thing. When wisdom was needed, we prayed. We didn’t make a decision unless we conferred and prayed about it. We daily sought God for guidance, and He led the way to the best medical teams. We had people around the world praying for us. We ate more nutritiously. We allowed God to fight the battle for us.

God carried us through, defeated the enemies circling us, and, ultimately my sweetheart got his "fast pass" to heaven. Through it all, we trusted in Jesus like never before. We were an example to others of what to do and where to go when you don’t know what to do and where to go. We learned to “keep our eyes always on the LORD. With Him at our right hand, we were not shaken.” (Psalm 16:8).

What are you facing today? The battle is not yours, it’s God’s. Start by praising God for who He is, then rest in the fact that He goes before you to help tackle whatever problem stands in front of you.

Lord, we praise You for Your power. We need only to look to You because You will go before us and fight our battles. Please forgive us for the times we take our eyes off You and become shaken and fearful. Help us step out in faith, knowing You go before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.