Without an anchor, a boat will drift and the stability of it’s location is lost. We drop anchor to secure us and keep us from drifting away. Scripture is rich in comparing our souls to a vessel and our anchor to Christ. The Hebrew writer explains, ‘This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil…’ (6:19)
But what’s the ‘big deal’ with drifting and why should we be concerned about losing our position? Is there peril in falling away? Consider how helpless you feel when you sink beneath the waves, not able to touch bottom and realizing all hope is being covered in breathlessness. That happens the minute we start to drift.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, July 21, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Oh, Praise the Lord” 282
From the pen of the Psalmist, this ‘hymn’ is a direct praise to our God (logically, it could call it a psalm as well). Can you see the passion in this song of praise! “O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him all ye people, for His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth forever…praise ye the Lord!”
“Marvelous Things” – 209
A contemporary, spiritual song with a strong, 4-part harmony. The soprano’s open with eight, simple words; ‘He has done marvelous things. Praise the Lord.’ Each part joins in succession (alto, tenor, bass) with the same message; ‘marvelous things…’ Considering what God has done it makes sense we’d conclude with the acclamation, ‘Praise the Lord!’
“Christ We Do All Adore Thee” – 186
As we prepare our minds for the Lord’s supper, we’ll sing this hymn as we honor and praise our God. “Christ, we do all adore Thee, and we do praise Thee forever…” Some might wonder how we could sing this song in preparing our minds for this memorial supper, but notice the second line, “…for on the holy cross hast Thou the world from sin redeemed…” How much more do we need to remind ourselves of His sacrifice? Christ, we DO all adore Thee!
“Sun of My Soul” – 806
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” – 807
“Abide with Me” – 808
This medley is prearranged in the hymnal Faith & Praise, edited by Alton Howard. Consider the message; in a lost (drifting) and dark world, where do you go to find light and stability? In this physical world we have a sun shining in our sky, but in the spiritual realm, what is our source illumination? The ‘sun for our soul’ is our Savior! And our Savior, as the storms of life threaten and the waters roll, He cares for us and loves us. So it only makes sense that we would cry out, “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide…(the end of life)” The message for the Christian is clear, without our God we have no hope. No comfort in this earth or even in earthly friends. Jesus Christ is our help when we are helpless, He is the ‘lover’ of our souls and He shines as the sun of our souls!
“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” – 538
Do you have an opinion, what do you think? Where do you stand? Are you solid about your position or are you able to be swayed? Questions like these are used to establish one’s belief. Where is your ‘stand’ when it comes to the hope that is within you? (I Peter 3:15) As for me, my hope is built on the blood of Jesus Christ… and on nothing less! On Christ, the solid Rock I stand! How about you?
“We Have an Anchor” – 467
Before the lesson this morning the congregation will sing to one another with this old, post-Civil War, spiritual song from Priscilla Owens (1874). Take note of the question and answer we sing to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? As the winds begin to howl and the waves behind to roll we ask the question, will your anchor drift or firm remain? Singing to one another we answer from scripture (Hebrews 6:19), “We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock (Jesus Christ) which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.”
“Behold a Stranger at the Door” – 919
Our invitation song calls our attention to Jesus and how we treat Him. Jesus came to ‘seek and save that which was lost’ Luke 19:10, but how do we treat Him as He comes to the door of our heart? He gently knocks, and for some, this isn’t the first time. For many He still waits to enter into the heart, but how is He treated? Received or rejected? Accepted or ignored? Joseph Grigg’s wrote, “…you treat no other friend so ill.” Receive your friends with open arms, but consider how you’ll treat the Son of God on a daily basis.
“Heaven Came Down” – 517
As this morning’s worship service comes to a close we’ll sing this spiritual song about living a Christian life. A beautiful message but notice the second verse; “Born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine. Justified fully through Calvary’s love, O what a standing is mine! (Where DO you stand?) And the transaction so quickly was made, when as a sinner I came. Took of the offer of grace He did proffer, He saved me! O praise His dear name…” To proffer is to give a gift expecting an answer, either accept it or not. He has given us hope for eternal life. What will you do with is offer? Just keep in mind, when we accept God’s gift of love, we have an anchor to keep our soul from drifting.