As I sit to compose this blog on Thursday the 24th, early reports are leaking out of Florida that a building “pancaked” in last night’s storms. Our hearts and prayers go out for the 99 (at this moment) who are still unaccounted for. By the time you read this on Friday, or later, much more may be known and the personal stories may be revealed of both victims and heroes. I trust many will be saved and SAVED.
As I read the initial story, my thought went to the parable in Matthew 7 of the house built on sand. That is, of course, not a condemnation of this particular building, but more of a reassurance that my faith is built on something untouched by any outside circumstances, including a storm big enough to bring down a giant man-made structure. If you are reading this as a believer in Christ, aren’t you glad that your Rock has the power over any storm, whether it be in the sky above or in your own heart? Yet, if you know anything about Florida, this was a storm coming off the ocean, where the biggest storms of all are born and from whence, perhaps, the greatest illustration of our assurance is born!
Have you ever visited a naval dock? Have you ever stood and looked at an anchor? Not one of those two-bit jobs on Uncle Bill’s fishing boat – I mean AN ANCHOR.
Anchors and their accompanying chains, even in the 1st century, had to be heavy enough to hold the ships to which they were connected. However, a ship that dropped its anchor in a storm might have to drag it for a while until it caught onto something that would hold it, something stronger than the tug of the ship on a storm-tossed sea! Not quite a sure thing. Ships that pulled close to land used a different tactic. They put the anchor on a smaller boat called a forerunner, and sent it to shore with a crew who would anchor it securely, EVEN IN A HURRICANE!
Take a minute right now as you consider whatever storm or storms are beating on your heart. I want you to read this verse aloud, considering every word, keeping in mind Who, in the Hebrew mind (and in truth), is behind that veil!
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:19-20 NASB1995
Grace Notes 