The word ANCHOR creates a vivid image of STRENGTH.  Something METAL that HOLDS a BIG boat or ship from drifting off course. The anchor holds!

This word ‘ANCHOR’ jumped off my desk calendar at me this week:

According to Webster’s Dictionary:

·  ANCHOR:  a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom.

Something that serves to hold an object firmly!

The Christian’s ANCHOR is the WORD OF GOD > Jesus Christ. Interesting that GOD used FISHERMEN (who are knowledgable of ANCHORS) as his Disciples to TEACH them that HE IS THE ANCHOR of their salvation.
STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST

STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST

1 Peter 5:10 (A fisherman)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

THE ANCHOR HOLDS

And then, the Holy Spirit brought back to my remembrance a song/video from many years ago … The Anchor Holds by Ray Boltz. The VISUAL images of a STORM caught my attention. The WIND and WAVES roaring all around can put FEAR in the heart of anyone. And then, The Holy Spirit guided me to the story of Peter WALKING ON WATER:

Matthew is the only gospel that relates to PETER walking on water. When the disciples saw JESUS walking on the water …

JESUS AND PETER WALKING ON WATER

Matthew 14:22-31 KJV

When our STORMS are roaring around us – a need for healing, finances, family issues, etc, we need to put our TRUST IN JESUS to save us. Just as he told his disciples, BE OF GOOD CHEER; it is I, be not afraid! Jesus’ WORDS of COMFORT, COMFORTED PETER’ and gave him courage to ask a POWERFUL QUESTION …

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Faith to Move Mountains

For that moment, PETER had the FAITH to move mountains. ONE WORD – COME – was all he needed to hear from JESUS to walk on water. COME: move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker. Peter had to TAKE ACTION (move toward Jesus). Then the devil reared his ugly head with the WINDS AND THE WAVES and caused Peter to take his EYES off of JESUS (spiritual) and onto the natural!

WALKING ON WATER IS SUPERNATURAL!!!

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Jesus did not let him drown …

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Don’t Doubt; Only Believe

When PETER kept his SPIRITUAL EYES on Jesus, he walked on Water. When Peter took his EYES off Jesus and only SAW the WIND and the WAVES (devil), he started to sink!

His disciples had been with Jesus on a daily basis; they walked and talked with Him. They received his instruction, they saw his miracles … yet, Peter still DOUBTED at that moment. The disciples ‘still doubted’ after being taught by the TEACHER, yet Jesus still continued with them, teaching them and encouraging them daily to strengthen their DOUBT. And, Jesus is still reaching out his HAND to save us from sinking.

DOUBT should drive us back to the WORD – OUR ANCHOR IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

Besides the SUPERNATURAL walking on water, Jesus also performed another SUPERNATURAL miracle that day …

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased – The WIND and RAIN INSTANTLY STOPPED!!!

Jesus is the Anchor

THE ANCHOR HOLDS WHEN THE SHIP IS TATTERED … Jesus is our ANCHOR in times of our STORM. He will never leave us nor forsake us:

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Be of Good Cheer

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

God is GOOD.

ONE word – COME – sent me back to the VIDEO of the ANCHOR and then to the SCRIPTURE. The VISUAL evidence of the VIOLENT STORM in his video created a VIVID image of how the disciples felt being tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. FEAR was REAL for them that night.

The Anchor Holds

BUT, JESUS, their and our spiritual ANCHOR, appeared in the midst of the storm for his disciples. Jesus, OUR ANCHOR, saved Peter (disciple) from drowning! I want to stop here and provide the definition of disciple for clarification: DISCIPLE: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another such as Christianity: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts. Due 3:16 KJM

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

JESUS ANCHORS us when our ship is tattered!!! When we keep anchored to the WORD, our winds and rain will cease!!!