Do You Have an Anchor

Do You Have an Anchor?

September 18, 2005

Introduction

I don’t know if all of you were required to read Rudyard Kipling’s “IF” when you were in school, but his poem is almost overwhelming:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream‑and not make dreams your master,

If you can think‑and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn‑out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch‑and‑toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings‑nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that s in it,

And‑which is more‑you'll be a Man, my son!

‑Rudyard Kipling

As challenging as the poem is, I know that some of you have had your moments to, “hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on! What do you have to hold on to?

In (Acts 27:29 NKJV), we read, “Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.” When day came: “. .. they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. {41} But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.” (Acts 27:40-41 NKJV)

Today, there are many who are experiencing tough times. What do you do with tough times?

Body

I. You need something to hang onto.

The Bible says we have an anchor.

(Heb 6:19 NKJV) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

We have a hymn that speaks of our anchor holding during the storms of life.

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

Refrain

It will surely hold in the Straits of Fear-
When the breakers tell that the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

Refrain

It will firmly hold in the Floods of Death--
When the waters cold chill our latest breath,
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the Veil.

Refrain

When our eyes behold through the gath’ring night
The city of gold, our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heav’nly shore,
With the storms all past forevermore.

Refrain

Paul said he could do all things through Christ Who strengthened him.

(Phil 4:12-13 NKJV) I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. {13} I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

II. We must wait on God.

The psalmist emphasized waiting on God.

(Psa 27:10-14 NKJV) When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me. {11} Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. {12} Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. {13} I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. {14} Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Victory is not always as quick as we would like.

(Psa 37:34-36 NKJV) Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. {35} I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. {36} Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

III. We have a promise.

We will not be tempted above what we are able to bear.

(1 Cor 10:13 NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God is our “very present help” – He is near us.

(Psa 46:1-3 NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; {3} Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah (Psa 46:10 NKJV) Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Jesus said to be of good cheer.

(John 16:33 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Conclusion

Is your life right with God?

Do you have reason for hope in God?

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