Keep Your Christian Hope Strong - OUR HOPE IS LIKE AN ANCHOR

 In his letter to the Hebrews, the apostle Paul likened our hope to an anchor. (Read Hebrews 6:19.)He often traveled by sea, so Paul knew that anchors are used to keep a ship from drifting. On one occasion, he was a passenger on a ship when a violent storm came  up. During that storm, he saw sailors cast anchors into the water to prevent the ship from being blown onto dangerous rocks.  (Acts 27:29, 39-41) As an anchor stabilizes a ship, our hope stabilizes us so that we do not drift away from Jehovah when we face turbulent times. Our firm hope helps us to ride out stormy trials because we are convinced  that calmer times lie just ahead. Remember, Jesus warned that we would be persecuted.  (John 15:20) So mediating on our promised future reward allows to keep  steady on our Christian course.

Consider how hope kept Jesus steadfast despite the cruel death that awaited him.  On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter quoted a prophecy from the book of Psalms that beautifully expresses Jesus' clam assurance:  I will reside in hope; because you will not leave me in the Grave, nor will you allow your loyal one to see corruption. . . . You will fill me with great joy in your presence."  (Acts 2:25-28; Psalm 16:8-11) Although Jesus knew that he would die, he had the firm hope that God would resurrect him and that he would  have the joy of being reunited with his Father in heaven. - HEBREWS 12:2, 3.

Next time: Keep Your Christian Hope Strong - OUR HOPE IS LIKE AN ANCHOR

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