Holding on to HopeSample

# Our Anchor ### By Samantha Rodriguez “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”— Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) On the first day of this plan, we talked about the hope we have in Christ. As the author of Hebrews describes it, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). As I thought about this analogy, a new thought entered my mind. We know that an anchor is used to keep a ship from being controlled by and taken away in the waves of a storm, yet why and how does an anchor work? I decided to do some research and found out some cool information! For the anchor to work, the chain has to be both long enough to reach the bottom, and heavy enough to assure that the anchor will remain attached to the boat. After learning this, I realized that there is more to an anchor’s job than just being dropped into the sea. In the same way, there is more to our hope than at first glance. Our hope is based on the gospel! Much like the chain is just as important as the anchor, the gospel is just as important as the hope we get from it, and today’s Scripture depicts the gospel in a short and beautiful way. Our God, being perfectly gracious and just, knew that there must be payment for sin. He knew that we could never live the perfect life and reconcile ourselves to Him, so He sent His perfect Son to take our place. He transferred all of our sins onto Christ’s back, so that He may die in our place, yet the grave could not restrain Him! Jesus conquered sin and death on the third day, which means that not only are we forgiven in God’s sight when we receive Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but we are also guaranteed resurrection eternally! This is the chain that holds the anchor of hope . . . the eternal life that awaits us in heaven, in the presence of God forever! May we always remember this truth, and praise God for His grace and love! Pause: As you reflect on the passage, think about what the gospel and the hope we gain from it means to you. Practice: Perhaps you have not used your anchor in Christ as you should. Surrender to the Lord any fear or struggle you have today, and set down your anchor! Pray: Lord, it is easy to forget that the truth of your gospel is what truly sets us free. Help me to remember who you are and what you have done for me when life gets tough. I want to build my life upon your truth so that when the storms come, I know the truth and the hope you have given me! Amen Praise: Listen to "Build My Life" by Pat Barrett.