Horatius Bonar on The Anchor of the Soul

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. — Heb. 6:19

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still; then are they glad because they be quiet, so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. — Ps. 107:29-30

Roar on, ye waves, our souls defy
Your roaring to disturb our rest;
In vain t’impair the calm ye try —
The calm in a believer’s breast.

This world is a sea of perpetual storm; yet in it there are many souls who have found “peace and safety.” All these at one time heard the fearful howling of the tempest of wrath, and were tossed with its fury — but yet they have not suffered shipwreck — they have escaped it all. They hear the tempest still, and its ground-swell often heaves them in their safe anchorage; but their security is never shaken. These are sinners who have fled to the hope set before them, “which hope they have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” The world dislikes and despises these souls; for they were earnest in fleeing from the storm, and the careless world is sore galled by their unfeigned earnestness. They cast away all unnecessary lading, “counting it but dung that they might win Christ,” and having so done, they found Christ an anchor, “sure and steadfast.” But the world is not possessed of this, and therefore hates those who declare it to be their only security in the time of storm. And while the sinner who has betaken himself to this hope proclaims the safety of the anchorage he has found, they who will not flee to it decry his confidence as presumption, pride, vainglory! The world feels that if he be completely safe, then they are altogether wrong — if his hope be real, then they have no hope at all.

But come and examine the anchor, and the shore on which it is cast. There is a hope set before you — a hope of escape. The voice of God in the storm urges you to flee to this hope. It is spoken of fully in Hebrews 6:19-20. It is a hope which is an anchor of the soul. This anchor is itself sure and strong. It will not break nor let go its hold. The shore too on which it is cast is so solid and firm, that the anchor fixed therein will remain steadfast in spite of storm, and wind, and dashing wave. - Horatius Bonar, The Anchor of the Soul.

Feeling anxious today? Many of us are but we have no need to be. Christ is the Anchor of our souls and so we need not worry. Step out in faith today, Christain friend, and do what you need to do. Rejoice, pray and give thanks in everything for Christ is our Anchor.