“We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…”
Hebrews 6:19

 

This section of the larger Hebrews 6 is only 12 words, but wow are they chock full of meaning and metaphor.
If you have time, go read the surrounding Hebrews 6:13-20.
These verses are helpful to understanding the context of where we end up at this verse 19 today.  

Do you know what hope is?
The Greek word that we translate most often as “hope” in scripture is the word ἐλπίς  (elpis).  It literally means the expectation of good.
When we expect good things, we have hope.
It is also often used in reference to Christian hope – which is different, it’s the expectation of good that is backed up by God’s promises.
So what?  
Promises get broken all the time right?  What’s the big deal?
The author is reminding the readers of this letter that God’s promises are not like human promises.
He says that God didn’t have anyone bigger than himself to swear an oath to, so he swore it to himself – and then the author says that so the oath and the one making the oath are now both unchangeable.  So we can grab hold of the hope in those promises, because it’s impossible – yes, the text literally uses that word –  it’s IMPOSSIBLE for God to break it.  

And that is where we come in with this verse 19.
We have this hope, it says.
Hope in what?
This is one of those times where the Sunday School answer is true.
We have hope in Jesus.
Jesus is the culmination of the promises of God.
Jesus will keep us and protect us be with us.
Jesus is our hope.
Or, as the text says, our anchor.
And what does an anchor do?
It’s a stay – a safeguard.
When you get in a boat, the anchor is what keeps you grounded.
Helps you not stray too far into dangerous waters or away from shore.

What is the anchor for?
Our soul.
Not our body, not our heart, but our soul.
The Greek word here (ψυχή, psyche) is helpful too – it means the thing that keeps us alive.
Our life force.
Our life – our entire being.
So the anchor keeps our entire being safe.
Wow.  

And what kind of anchor is it?
A sure and steadfast one.
Both of those words mean firm, certain, sure, trusty, stable.
This is what our anchor – Jesus – does.
Keeps us safe. Holds us steady when the waves seem to be overtaking us.
So we can have an expectation of good
So we can have hope
and not just any hope, but a hope that is backed up by God’s promises.  

Promises that cannot fail.
Promises that will not fail.