Anchored in Hope: Finding Stability in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Sure and Steadfast Anchor of Hope

True hope is found in Jesus, who anchors our souls.

When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it is easy to feel tossed about by circumstances, doubts, or fears. Yet, the hope we have in Jesus is described as a sure and steadfast anchor for our souls—something that holds us firm even when everything else is shifting. This hope is not wishful thinking, but a deep assurance rooted in what Jesus has already accomplished for us. He has gone before us, entering the most holy place, and now stands as our forerunner and high priest, securing our relationship with God. No matter what storms may come, you can trust that Jesus is holding you fast, and your hope in Him will not be shaken. [01:16:41]

Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV):
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most tossed about right now, and how can you intentionally remind yourself today that Jesus is your anchor in that place?

Day 2: God’s Unchangeable Promise and Purpose

God’s promises are certain because of His unchanging character and oath.

From the very beginning, God has desired relationship with His people, and His purpose has never wavered. The promise made to Abraham—to bless and multiply his descendants—was not just for one man or one nation, but for all who would become heirs through faith in Jesus. God guaranteed this promise with an oath, and because it is impossible for God to lie, we can have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Our hope is not based on our own efforts, but on the unchangeable character and faithfulness of God, who always keeps His word. [01:18:27]

Hebrews 6:17-18 (ESV):
"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to cling to today, trusting in His unchanging character?

Day 3: Jesus, Our Eternal High Priest

Jesus is our high priest forever, mediating our relationship with God.

Unlike earthly priests who come and go, Jesus is the high priest forever, appointed by God’s unbreakable oath. He has entered the true holy place on our behalf, not just once a year, but for all time, making a way for us to have ongoing, intimate relationship with God. Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood never ends, and He continually intercedes for us. This means our access to God is secure, not based on rituals or our own worthiness, but on the finished work and ongoing ministry of Jesus. [01:24:33]

Psalm 110:4 (ESV):
"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'"

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is always interceding for you change the way you approach God in prayer today?

Day 4: Practical Ways to Stay Anchored in Hope

We stay anchored in hope by returning to Scripture, worship, and community.

When hope feels distant, there are practical ways to anchor yourself in Jesus. Returning to the Gospels reminds you of who Jesus is and how He sees you—like the woman who reached out to touch His cloak and was called “daughter.” The Psalms give words to both joy and lament, helping you pray honestly in every season. Songs of truth can lift your spirit, and being part of a church or small group means others can help carry you when your own faith feels weak. These practices are not just disciplines, but means of drawing near to the One who is your hope. [01:29:14]

Luke 8:43-48 (ESV):
"And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, 'Who was it that touched me?' When all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!' But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.' And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.'"

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today—whether reading Scripture, listening to a worship song, or reaching out to someone in your church community—to help anchor your hope in Jesus?

Day 5: The Power of Community in Holding Fast to Hope

Community helps us stay anchored when our own faith feels weak.

There are times when it is hard to hold on to hope alone, but God has given us the gift of community so that we do not have to. Like a rowing team, when one person is weary, others can keep the boat moving forward. In the Gospels, friends carried the paralyzed man to Jesus when he could not come on his own; in the same way, our church family can pray for us, encourage us, and believe for us when we are struggling. Being present with others, sharing our burdens, and receiving prayer are all ways God uses community to anchor us in hope. [01:35:25]

Mark 2:3-5 (ESV):
"And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"

Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage or pray for today, or who can you ask to pray for you if you are feeling weary?

Sermon Summary

On this Mother’s Day, we reflect on the profound gift of hope that is found in Jesus, our sure and steadfast anchor. Life brings with it a variety of experiences—some of us celebrate with joy, surrounded by loving mothers or children, while others carry complicated or painful memories. Yet, in every circumstance, the invitation is the same: to find our hope not in the shifting sands of circumstance, but in the unchanging person and work of Jesus Christ.

Drawing from Hebrews 6, we see that hope in Jesus is not wishful thinking, but a secure anchor for our souls. The imagery of the anchor is powerful: it holds us steady when the winds and waves of life threaten to toss us about. This hope is rooted in God’s unchangeable purpose and His oath—He cannot lie, and He has sworn that Jesus is our eternal high priest, the one who has gone before us into the very presence of God. The promise made to Abraham, that God’s people would dwell with Him under His rule, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Through Jesus, we are heirs to this promise, anchored in a relationship with God that is both present and future.

This hope is not abstract. It is deeply practical and accessible. When we feel ourselves drifting, we are called to return to the Gospels, to remember who Jesus is and what He has done. The Psalms offer language for every season—joy, lament, patience, and even despair—reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Changing the way we engage with Scripture, whether through different translations, audio versions, or journaling, can refresh our hearts. Songs that declare God’s faithfulness can become lifelines in dark seasons.

Community is also essential. When our own faith feels weak, the faith of others can carry us. Like the friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus, we are called to bear one another’s burdens, to pray, to encourage, and to believe together. The disciplines and practices are not the point in themselves; they are means by which we stay anchored to Jesus, our living hope. In all things, it is Christ who holds us fast, and it is in Him that we find the hope we long to pass on to our children and to one another.

Key Takeaways

1. Hope in Jesus is an anchor for the soul, not a fleeting feeling. The anchor holds us steady amid life’s storms because it is grounded in God’s unchangeable character and His oath, fulfilled in Christ as our eternal high priest. This hope is both present and future, securing us now and guaranteeing our ultimate intimacy with God. [76:41]
2. The promise to Abraham—God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule—finds its fulfillment in Jesus. We are heirs to this promise, not by our own merit, but because Christ has gone before us, opening the way to relationship with God. Our hope is not in our ability to hold on, but in the certainty of what Christ has accomplished. [81:11]
3. God’s faithfulness is demonstrated in both His unchanging purpose and His oath. Even when humanity failed, God’s desire for relationship did not waver. He swore by Himself that Jesus would be our high priest forever, ensuring that our access to God is secure and not dependent on our performance or ritual, but on Christ’s finished work. [83:21]
4. Practical ways to stay anchored in hope include returning to the Gospels, immersing ourselves in the Psalms, and engaging Scripture in fresh ways—through different translations, audio, or journaling. Songs that declare God’s truth can minister to us in dark seasons, and these practices are not ends in themselves, but means to keep our hearts tethered to Jesus. [88:34]
5. Community is vital when our hope feels faint. When we cannot “row” in faith ourselves, the faith of others can carry us forward. Being present in church, in life groups, and in prayer with others allows us to experience communal faith, where we are upheld and encouraged, and where we can do the same for others. [95:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[70:23] - Worship and Praise
[73:32] - Introduction: Jesus, Our Sure and Steadfast Hope
[73:50] - Mother’s Day Reflections and Prayer
[75:46] - Lessons from My Mother: Hope in Jesus
[76:20] - Hope as an Anchor: Hebrews 6
[77:25] - The Anchor’s Purpose and Power
[78:08] - God’s Unchangeable Promise and Oath
[79:19] - Jesus, Our Forerunner and High Priest
[81:11] - The Promise to Abraham and Its Fulfillment
[83:21] - God’s Faithfulness: Purpose and Oath
[88:34] - Practical Ways to Stay Anchored
[93:20] - The Power of Songs and Community
[95:25] - Communal Faith: Carrying Each Other
[97:08] - The Point: Anchoring in Jesus
[100:48] - Closing Prayer and Community Time

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 6:13–20 — (Key verses: 6:18–20: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”)

- Genesis 22:15–18
(God’s promise to Abraham: “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven…”)

- Psalm 110:4
(“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’”)

Observation Questions

In Hebrews 6:18–20, what does the writer say our hope is anchored to, and where has Jesus gone on our behalf?
According to Genesis 22:17, what did God promise to Abraham, and how is this promise described in the sermon?
What two “unchangeable things” does Hebrews 6 mention that make our hope secure?
In Psalm 110:4, what does God swear, and how does this relate to Jesus’ role as our high priest?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes hope in Jesus as an “anchor for the soul.” What does this image communicate about the nature of Christian hope, especially during life’s storms?
The promise to Abraham is described as “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” How does the sermon connect this Old Testament promise to our relationship with Jesus today?
The preacher highlights that God’s faithfulness is shown in both His unchanging purpose and His oath. Why is it important that our hope is based on God’s character and not our own performance?
The sermon mentions that when we feel ourselves drifting, we are called to return to the Gospels and the Psalms. Why might these particular parts of Scripture be helpful in anchoring our hope?

Application Questions

The anchor of hope is described as “sure and steadfast.” Think about a recent time when you felt tossed by life’s storms. What did you turn to for stability? How might you intentionally anchor yourself in Jesus this week?
The sermon suggests practical ways to stay anchored, like reading the Gospels, praying the Psalms, or listening to songs that declare God’s faithfulness. Which of these practices have you tried before? Is there one you want to try or return to this week?
The preacher shared a personal story about a Gospel passage (Luke 8:40–56) that reminds her of Jesus’ care. Is there a particular story or verse about Jesus that anchors your hope? If not, how could you find one?
When your faith feels weak, the sermon encourages leaning on the faith of others in community. Can you recall a time when someone else’s faith helped carry you? How can you be that support for someone else right now?
The sermon says our hope is not in our ability to hold on, but in what Christ has accomplished. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of Jesus? What would it look like to shift your trust to Him?
The preacher mentioned that disciplines and practices are not the point in themselves, but ways to stay anchored to Jesus. Are there any spiritual habits you do out of routine that need fresh meaning? How could you renew them?
Community is described as a place where we “row together” and carry each other’s burdens. What is one practical way you can encourage or pray for someone in your group this week?

Sermon Clips

Mother's Day, it's a time to celebrate mothers and it can be wonderful and joyous. Um, some people uh have a wonderful association with it. they know that they're going to have an amazing meal either because their mother's a great cook or because they have now taken over the cooking from their mother. Um, for others it can be complicated. There's lots of reasons for that. For um your relationship with your mother or that your mother's not around or for some has never been around. If you're like me and you've managed to accumulate moms of all forms through birth, through your parents' marriage, through your own marriage, can start to become a little bit of an expensive exercise. Mother's Day. Um, but I would not give up any of my mothers of various types for anything. [01:14:41]

When I think about what I most want to pass on to my son, to Dan and my son, the thing that I learned from my mama Jules, that I most want to pass on is that true hope is in Jesus. And there's different ways that the Bible describes having hope in Jesus. [01:15:56]

There's the words that I used a few weeks ago when I was up here last, fixing our eyes on Jesus. But there's another way in Hebrews that I particularly love and that is that um hope is an anchor for the soul. In Hebrews 6 19 to20 it says we have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. A hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf having become a high priest forever after the order of Melkisedc. [01:16:17]

When you think about an anchor, just think about what you picture. It could be the big stereotype like coming right down this with the the arms or it could be a more modern um boating anchor. Um, I know we have at least one member of the congregation who does some sailing and so she may have a little bit of familiarity with a more modern version, but they're they're sure, they're secure, they're weighty, like they weigh a lot. That's one of the key um uh attributes of an anchor. And what they do is they keep a boat or a ship in place. So even when the wind and the waves are tossing it around, an anchor holds fast and steady. [01:16:57]

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. So that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. A hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf having become a high priest forever after the order of Melkisedc. [01:18:10]

Part of our hope is we can see what Jesus has already done before us. He has led the way. And that reference, the inner place behind the curtain, um, that's a reference to, um, what was called the most holy place in the temple. Um, Hebrews tends to use a lot of, um, images from the Old Testament and the temple and sacrificial system and then it mirrors them with the heaven reality, heavenly reality of it. [01:19:16]

In this heavenly reality they're talking about Jesus is the one who can go where there is relationship with God where there is intimacy with God. But our hope it's not just him going by himself and that's it. He's the only one who gets there. He goes before us on our behalf. Our hope is that that relationship with God, we're anchored to it through Jesus and what he's done. [01:20:37]

When we look at God's promises to Abraham. So that's a particular part of it, a particularly visible one about multiplication of offspring. The way it's sometimes described in in biblical theology is it's God's people in God's place under God's rule. That this promise that is spoken to Abraham is about God's people being in a true and right relationship with God. [01:22:07]

When it talks about heirs to the promise here in Hebrews it's talking about the church. It's talking about the fact that through Jesus, our hope, that promise is fulfilled, that that we can see that and the the heirs that we are. God did things to make it sure and certain for us. And that applies to us. It's not just an Old Testament thing. [01:23:11]

Right from Genesis 1, right? God has desired relationship with his people. what I just talked about as the promise to Abraham, God's people in God's place under God's rule. That was also Eden. It was it was God walking there, having intimacy with his people in relationship. And when that broke, he didn't just give up his purpose. [01:23:53]

We have a a high priest forever in Jesus who has done the work on the cross and now he mediates forever. And then it also just points out God can't lie. So, you know, he's said these two things. He's set out this unchangeable purpose. He's even made an oath to go, you know what? And Jesus fulfills this purpose. He makes this relationship. And we can be sure cuz he's not a liar. [01:26:09]

But we also have a certainty of future fulfillment of that promise that Jesus as the forerunner anchors us now. But we know that in the future that perfect fellowship with God, that perfect intimacy with God that that Jesus has that we only sort of see it now in Jesus that is going to be our future. We know that it's guaranteed. We're anchored to it. [01:26:56]

If you are in a place where you need to be reminded to hold on to the anchor, to let yourself be anchored in the hope of Jesus, remind yourself who Jesus is. Have a favorite story in the gospel that you go back to. I mean, mine is in Luke 8:4-56. There's a woman in the crowd who's been leading for so many years and she reaches out and she touches Jesus' cloak and he notices and he asks and the disciples all laugh and are like ah you're in a crowd Jesus what's the deal but she knows and when she fesses up and says that was me he calls her daughter that I go back to when I need to be reminded that Jesus calls me daughter, that that he sees me. [01:29:00]

If you need to be reminded who Jesus is and why your hope is in him, keep reading. Keep reminding yourself. Um, the other place that I would go that I found really helpful was the Psalms. Um, there are psalms of joy and comfort, but also Psalms of lament. You know, there's Psalm 23, the Lord is my shepherd. There's Psalm 40, I waited patiently for the Lord. [01:30:45]

When you are feeling too hopeless to to fix your eyes, too hopeless to to to even feel the anchor that is tethering you. Then there are other people who will be here. You get anchored in the word. You have to sit here and listen to me talk about it or to whoever else is up the front. you are getting it put into your hearts through your ears when you are here on Sunday or when you are sitting on whatever day of the week with your life group and it's not just the hearing of the word it's the being in a community where you are believing together [01:34:43]

Sometimes you're all rowing and it's all strong and you're in perfect timing. But sometimes when one of you is just lost sight of their faith for a bit when you're in community, the boat is still moving forward. Everyone is still rowing together. Even if you've taken your hands off the ore for a minute and so they're believing for you when you can't yourself. And it's biblical. [01:35:28]

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