This past weekend, I was the speaker at a ladies retreat where our theme was “We Have This Hope.” Our scripture reference was found in Hebrews 6:19 – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. I painted this canvas at the event and it will soon be hanging where I can see it often.

We are craving some hope these days, aren’t we? I am struck by all the chaos around us. I can get caught up in the media coverage if I’m not vigilant. On top of that, I’m sick and tired of not being able to trust anything I read.

Then, I attend worship services and Bible class on Sunday morning. We’re studying Genesis and a couple of weeks ago, we read through the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ok, so it’s not that bad here. I cannot imagine how scary that would be!

The humorous and inspirational writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us in chapter 1:8-9 – All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

I guess that puts things in perspective. If we are followers of Christ, then we believe the scriptures. I CAN trust everything I read there. I may not fully comprehend all of it, but I am certain that the words are truth.

There is an old hymn, “We Have An Anchor,” that was penned by Pricilla Jane Owens in 1874 and set to music in 1882 by William J. Kirkpatrick. Some of the lyrics include:
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

I love, love, love praise and worship music! The old hymns were a sermon in song and their depth is a wealth of wisdom for the ages. I find a great deal of comfort in the particular words of this hymn. The love of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is so far above anything we can imagine! He is the rock that cannot move. It doesn’t say that he “won’t move”. He chooses to be the rock that cannot move.

We don’t have to doubt. We don’t have to fear. It may not all work out like we want, but it will work out and God will still be God. Once I submitted to His will for my life, it became easier to trust Him. Yes, I ask for what I want and need, but I ask with complete confidence that He knows best for me.

I didn’t always feel that way. Many times, I begged God to take away the pain or the particular burden, but He didn’t. I can look back and see that I learned something during that time that helped me later. Even now, I can see that His way was better than my way. Oh, how I wish I had made wiser choices sooner!

The good news is that His mercies are new every morning. Today, I can hand Him my burden and He will work it out. Philippians 2:13 tells us – It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

Ahh, there’s the Hope. It’s not about me. He’s got this. He is my anchor.