The oceans are littered with sunken vessels, those capsized, tossed to and forth by the torrent of waves and the ceaseless billow of the winds. Meanwhile, others having faced similar circumstances remained afloat, although battered amid the most perilous seas. They may have been tossed about, overshadowed by darkness, but they were held in place by the weight and strength of their Anchor. Likewise, we as Christians must have an anchor as well, to keep us upright and pitched forward in the storm. Not only is it important to have one, but also to ensure it is of use and the right size. Our anchor is Christ, in whom we cast the fullness of our hope. It is easy to become distracted by the elements, and immediately seem to forget the importance of the things we learned while ashore. Safety drills (knowledge of things to keep us safe, avoiding the pitfalls and hazards of sin), recurrent training (preparing the mind, body and soul for this journey called salvation), emergency procedures (how to incorporate and make active what we have learned and know about God in case of crisis), giving us the ability to sail confidently in deeper waters.
It was Jesus that told the disciples fear not, it is he whom they saw walk upon the waves, and spoke to the winds, that they become still. Likewise, when they toiled all day and caught no fish, Jesus told them, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought, they had no idea, as their response was nevertheless at thy word, and because of their obedience they caught a multitude of fish. If we trust him, if we believe that every word, he has spoken is true, he will be with us no matter where it is we find ourselves, no matter how dire the situation. No matter what our eyes behold, or our hearts tell us, we must cling unwaveringly to the promises contained in the word of hope, and the blessedness to come.
Why do we need anchors? The anchor’s purpose is to keep the ship safe and secure at a desired location or to help control it during severe weather. However, to accomplish this vital objective, simply having an anchor is not enough. The anchor must be secure, dependable, and used suitably at the right time.
Today’s episode is titled.
Anchored in the Lord
Jonah 2:1-10
1 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. 3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy
billows and thy waves passed over me. 4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. 6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. 7 When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. 8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. 10 And the Lord spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
There are three common stories in scripture that depict the torrent of the seas and winds against a besieged ship. One reflects the narrative of an individual (Jonah) endeavoring to escape from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3); the other Jesus demonstrating first-hand, what our response should be to the storm itself, as he spoke with authority the words, peace be still (Mark 4:39); and lastly Paul, exhibiting that even though the ship is utterly destroyed in the midst of the sea and dashed upon the jaggedness of the rocks, it does not preclude the Gospel from going forth.
