Land-lubbers would be surprised to learn that the most important piece of equipment on a marine vessel is the anchor. While the engine, wind-driven sails or oars propel a vessel, and the rudder provides steering capability, it is the anchor that secures and safeguards the vessel from suffering serious damage or loss by drifting into danger when immobilised at sea, in a harbour, on a river, or lake. Wikipedia says, “An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα (ankȳra).”
Friends, the world in which we live abounds with invisible undercurrents and strong winds that move us away from a confident, safe and secure relationship with God. I call this natural occurrence, “faith-drifting.” Faith-drifting was quite prevalent in Old Testament times. The people of Israel often found themselves ship-wrecked because they lacked “the” divine anchor to stop them from drifting into worldliness, paganism, and idolatry. In Psalm 141, David petitioned God, “Do not let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Do not let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong” (v. 4).
The incidence of faith-drifting continued throughout New Testament times, moving believers away from the safety and security of God. Paul said to believers at Colossae, “But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Do not drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News” (1:23). Also, the writer of Hebrews says, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it” (2:1).
Are believers today drifting away from God? Yes, indeed… far, far too many (since the time Satan gained possession of the world)! In 1882, Priscilla Jane Owens authored a hymn that speaks about the importance of having a right anchor that can keep us safely secured in the storms of life. “Will Your Anchor Hold” was inspired by Hebrews 6:19…“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our soul, both sure and steadfast.” Incidentally, this verse was adopted as the motto of the Boy’s Brigade, a Scottish-founded but now international interdenominational Christian youth organisation, and the hymn is strongly associated with the Brigade. Priscilla Owens penned…
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 or firm remain?
Chorus: We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the sea billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
tis safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand, for ’tis well secured by the Saviour’s hand; and the cables passed from His heart to mine, can defy the blast, through strength divine.
(Chorus)
It will firmly hold in the straits of fear, when the breakers have told the reef is near; though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow, not an angry wave shall our bark overflow.
(Chorus)
It will surely 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.
(Chorus)
Friends, when I find myself in the company of a Christian friend who is struggling unnecessarily in life, I ask the question, “Zero to ten, what score would indicate the degree of intimacy in your relationship with God?” If their answer was any number less than ten, I would follow-up with this question, “Do you know of anything in your life that God hates?” Without exception each person either confessed a lack of adequate discipline to maintain a close walk with God or they harboured unconfessed sin/s–they had drifted some distance away from God and urgently needed to “close the gap.” I’m talking about a “right” relationship with God, not a “perfect” one. Questions: Have you drifted away from God? Are you drifting away from God? Is there anything in your life not as it should be? Friends, every believer, life-long, is vulnerable to faith-drift. This happens innocently, unintentionally, and unknowingly.
Paul says, “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb. 4:14-16).
Practicing a firm belief in Christ through prayer, Bible investigations, living righteously, and rendering sacrificial service to God is the only way to safeguard your life from drifting into perilous dangers. If you feel convicted, I urge you to act now–repent and return to God. Only you can stop the drift!
Bill
Dancing on Water 