FOUR ANCHORS THAT HOLD
"Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come." Acts 27:29
This frightening event occurred on Paul's voyage to Rome to stand trial before Caesar Nero. There are several parallels we can draw from this account that can be applied to our lives today. Few would dispute that we live in “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1) in virtually every category of our lives. A variety of perils confront many in today’s society. Let’s consider some of the “anchors” we can employ in the storms that we face.
I. The symbolic storms we encounter in our lives are very real.
We may encounter economic, physiological, psychological and philosophical storms throughout our life. These storms are real!
II. The peril of shipwreck in uncharted waters is ever present.
We cannot be certain what tomorrow holds for us…but we do know our tomorrows are in His hand! (Romans 8:28). We may encounter unseen reefs of false doctrine; treacherous shoals of discouragement; dangerous rocks of pride, covetousness, doubts and fears.
III. Casting out four anchors that will hold.
"…They dropped four anchors from the stern” They wanted to stop their forward momentum that was taking them to the rocks ahead.
Here are four anchors for our soul that will hold us fast even in life's fiercest storms. Make certain you have all four in your life.
Faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. "And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." I John 5:4-5
Hope: ("to long for with expectation of obtaining") "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." Hebrews 6:19
Love "Love never fails." I Corinthians 13:8. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." I John 4:18
Steadfastness: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:58.
IV. Praying for day to come.
Total darkness is frightening! We pray for that "Some Golden Daybreak" when Jesus will come. But until He returns or we go to meet Him, we must realize that the world's night is the Christian's workday when we have the opportunity to share the message of salvation.
