Anchored in God's Promises

The disciples traveled by boat from one shore of the Sea of Galilee to another.  It is recorded in Scripture several times that they encountered storms as they went across the Sea or Lake.  Matthew writes about the time a "furious storm came up on the Lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping." (Matthew 8:24)  Did you ever wonder how Jesus carried such peace that He was able to sleep in a storm?
Songwriter, musician and contemporary Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman found the answer to this question in 2008.  In May of that year he and his wife lost their youngest daughter, Maria, in a horrific accident.  When interviewed about how he lived through this heart-breaking time, here is what he said:  "God, this is what's most true.  The pain is true. The questions are real.  The grief is real.  The anger is real.  But what's most real, and what's most true, is that you are God.  You're faithful."
 Chapman went on to give this advice:  "Drop your anchor in the promises of God."  Indeed, Chapman's season of loss and mourning gave him an entirely new perspective on writing music.  He said that proclaiming the truth was what sustained him.  He began to write songs highlighting the promises of God.  I surmise that as he declared the truth, peace began to flow and reign.
 
Jesus knew the promises of Father God. (Not only this, but He is the promise of God.)  He was anchored in the promises of God; this is how He slept through the storm.  The prophet Isaiah wrote one of God's promises to Israel:  "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.  As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." (Isaiah 66:12-13)  If only Israel would drop their anchor in this promise!
 
The purpose of an anchor is to hold a ship in place.  Our spiritual anchors are to function like a physical one--to keep us from drifting away into uncharted territory.  The anchor is to keep us from entering the place of anxiety, doubt, fear and unbelief.  Dropping the anchor into the promises of God allows us a time of rest during the journey.
 
The writer of Hebrews understood not only what the anchor is made of but how it is to be used.  "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf..." (Hebrews 6:19-20)  Here, the hope and promises of the gospel are compared to an anchor for our souls.  Drop your anchor in the promises of God.  They will sustain and encourage you and give you peace in the storm.lick here to edit.