… ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. ¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil …

Promise and oath, God’s word is unchangeable; He does not mislead us. The relevancy of that to our everyday lives is enormous. It gives us hope. The word, “hope,” occurs eight times in this letter to the Hebrews, three of which are in this passage. We cannot live without it. Hope means to look forward to something good and desirable, not mere wishful thinking, but a confidence. Hope is one of the great themes of the Christian life, one of the big three, “Now abide faith, hope and love, these three…” (1 Cor 13:13). Christians of all people have a reason for living and moving ahead with a positive outlook. The terminology of this passage leads us to see that God’s word, His promise to Abraham of blessing is a present reality, through faith, for those who “have taken refuge” in Christ. We need to keep reminding ourselves and embracing this truth, for in this we find courage to face the daily grind of life which in this fallen world is constantly pulling us down, and on a spiritual level constantly calling into question our acceptance by God. There seems a never-ending quest to grasp after a fleeting security and significance. But through faith, we learn to rest in the finished work of the Son in His once-only sacrifice for us. The truth of this is absolutely central to our spiritual wellbeing. With this assurance we can boldly grab hold even more to God’s promise and oath—not just as an intellectual acknowledgment but as an inner settledness. We have an immoveable center point that is “sure and steadfast.” What words of encouragement and comfort for the soul! Priscilla Owens captured this timeless truth in her classic hymn of 1882: We have an anchor that keeps the soul. Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love. It will firmly hold in the Floods of Death, When the waters cold chill our latest breath, On the rising tide it can never fail, While our hopes abide within the Veil.

Lord, I am anchored to Your promises and have no other security upon which to center my life. In You I trust, both now in life and when I face death.