TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30
saying, ‘Surely I will bless you and multiply you.’ And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”
Hebrews 6:14-15 ESV
ANCHOR OF PROMISES KEPT
A naval student was being put through the paces by an old sea captain. “What would you do if a sudden storm sprang up on the starboard?” asked the captain. “Throw out an anchor, sir.” replied the naval student. “What would you do if another storm sprang up aft?” asked the captain. “Throw out another anchor, sir.” answered the student. “And if another terrific storm sprang up forward, what would you do?” asked the captain. “Throw out another anchor.” replied the student. “Hold on,” said the Captain. “Where are you getting all your anchors from?” The student replied, “From the same place you’re getting all of your storms, sir.”
The author of the book of Hebrews knew that there were lots of storms in our faith journey and so he threw out lots of anchors. The main reason a ship needs an anchor is to ride out storms so that it is not blown off course or into the rocks or reefs nearby. In Hebrews 6:14-15 one of the anchors is the evidence that God not only makes promises but He has a proven track record of keeping His promises. The example given in that passage is God’s promises to 99 year old barren and childless Abraham to bless him with a multiplying family. The existence of the nation of Israel today is evidence that God kept His promise to Abraham.
The lesson for us is there has never been anyone who trusted in God’s promises and was finally disappointed. God may delay the visible answers to His promises, because He always answers in His time, not in ours. We may not see the answer until we’re in heaven. But He is utterly trustworthy to keep His Word.
Take some time and think back on promises that God has made to you and you have already seen Him answer. Can you recognize any patterns in the way or the timing of God answering those promises to you? How might God’s patterns in the past encourage you while you wait for future answers?
