Posted on November 16, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
The ideal anchoring system which connects a vessel to the solid rock by means of any form of cable (rode) must provide a means by which energy may be readily dissipated; The greater the flexibility and energy dissipation capabilities of the rode, the greater the ability of the anchor to withstand violent forces. What this means is an inflexible ‘rode’ will do great damage to a vessel as it ebbs and flows with the currents and waves. The ‘rode’ must be able to give and take (dissipating and storing energy) so it does not pull the vessel under the water or tear it apart as the storm waves rise. The best anchor then is one that is able to discern life’s storms, letting out some slack when circumstances press hard and reeling in when they pull the vessel beyond where it should be. All the while the anchor must remain sure and steadfast to the solid rock of truth that saves us from being shipwrecked or lost at sea.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, he has given us a ‘rode’ which is a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This ‘rode’ is an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade; and is able to discern life’s storms, ebbing and flowing with its currents and waves, all the while remaining steadfast and unmovable to what is fundamentally true. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. This hope (rode) is a strong and trustworthy anchor system for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary… where Jesus, our anchor, has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-5; Heb 6:19-20)
This ‘rode’ is the Holy Spirit you were sealed with when you believed in Christ. When you believed God’s Word, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He has securely anchored us to the inheritance He promised in Christ and is kept in Heaven. This ‘rode’ which transverses from our lives to God’s throne were Christ is advocating for us, is the evidence He has purchased us from slavery to sin to be his own children. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.” (Adapted from Ephesians 1:13-14)
It is by this hope, anchored via Christ’s Spirit, by which He helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us, discerning the needs of our hearts against life’s ebb and flow. And God who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because The Spirit intercedes and discerns for God’s children in accordance with the will of God. Because of the strength and discernment of The Spirit or ‘rode’, we can be certain in all things that God works for the good of those who love him, that is those who obey His Word and in doing so, have been called according to his purpose. (Adapted from Romans 8:26-28)
Because God’s anchoring system is perfect, “We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop Christ-like endurance. And this endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love; and by this ‘rode’ He securely leads us home to Himself. (Adapted from Romans 5:3-5)
Choose wisely…
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Praying 4 U
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “It’s important to understand that at every point of opposition to who we are or to what God has called us to do, we are presented with the options of either conforming and giving in, or standing our ground and becoming stronger in who God has made us to be”― Gabriel Wilson
The Daily Bible Reading: John 20-21, Acts 1. You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:14-15
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
