Anchored in Hope
Strengthening Your Identity in Christ (Caught Between Two Worlds Series Part 5 of 6)
The ocean’s edge is in constant motion—advancing, retreating—never still. Maybe you’ve felt that same restlessness, standing at the edge of your own life, caught between the solid ground beneath your feet and the vast, uncharted waters beyond.
Life often mirrors this tension, doesn’t it? It pulls you between the security you crave and the uncertainty that keeps you up at night. When everything around you feels unpredictable, you might wonder what can hold you steady when everything else shifts.
Searching for Stability
We’re born with an instinct—a reflex to cling. From infancy, we reach out, seeking a handhold to steady us. Though the physical reflex fades, the soul’s need to orient itself toward something stable remains. We seek anchors in places that appear sturdy—careers, relationships, achievements. These sources seem solid for a time until their fragile foundations fold.
In those moments, the promises of the world echo louder, tempting us to cling to temporary fixes. Yet, the Bible offers an alternative—a hope that isn’t based on the shifting sands of circumstance but anchored in the eternal.
The question then becomes: where do we place our hope, and what truly holds when everything else fails?
Anchored in God’s Promise
Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV) describes our hope in Christ as "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul." This hope enters the "inner place behind the curtain," where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone on our behalf. To understand this anchor fully, we need to look at the promise that secures it.
In Hebrews 6:17-19, it says:
"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain" (ESV).
God’s promise to Abraham was that he would bless him and make his descendants into a great nation through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). This covenant was guaranteed by God’s own unchanging nature. Our hope, according to Hebrews, ties directly to this promise. Since there was no one greater by whom to swear, God swore by himself—ensuring that what he promised, he would indeed provide.
Anchored Beyond the Veil
The promise made to Abraham extends beyond the Old Testament, pointing directly to Christ. In Hebrews, we see that Jesus fulfills that promise by bridging the gap between God and humanity. But how?
Hebrews 6 speaks of hope as "an anchor for the soul" that enters "the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." This curtain hung in the tabernacle (and later the temple) of God, separating the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter this sacred space once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer the blood of a spotless lamb for the people's sins (Leviticus 16:15).
Within the Holy of Holies lay the Ark of the Covenant, covered by the mercy seat, or 'Kapporet,' where the high priest sprinkled sacrificial blood for atonement. This sacred space was where humanity’s need met God’s mercy.
When Jesus died, the curtain was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing that through his sacrifice, he permanently removed the barrier between God and humanity.
Jesus: Our High Priest and Mercy Seat
Jesus, as our High Priest, didn't enter a Holy of Holies made by human hands; he entered the heavenly sanctuary, offering His own blood. He became our mercy seat, the fulfillment of God's promise, a once-for-all atoning sacrifice.
Jesus became not only the High Priest who offers the sacrifice but also the sacrifice itself—the spotless Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). This dual role makes Jesus the perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament covenant, bridging the gap that no earthly high priest permanently could.
What’s behind the curtain of the Holy of Holies makes our hope distinct. It anchors our hope to Jesus—our High Priest, spotless sacrifice, and mercy seat—drawing us directly into God’s presence.
Unlike earthly anchors that hold us down, this anchor pulls us toward God's mercy, assuring us His promises are secure and unshakable.
Living Out Our Anchored Identity
A hope anchored in Christ changes everything—it transforms not only how we view ourselves but how we approach the challenges of life. When we know our identity is secure in Jesus, we don’t need to chase approval, validation, or achievements to feel worthwhile. Imagine the freedom of knowing you are already loved, already redeemed, and already held by the One who cannot fail.
This anchored identity invites us to let go of unstable anchors. Letting go can be a hard act of surrender, especially when it involves relinquishing control over the things we thought made us secure. But true freedom comes when we release our grip on the things that can’t deliver and instead hold fast to a hope that is already ours in Christ.
A Hope That Holds
Jesus, as our High Priest, became both the sacrifice and fulfillment of God's covenant promise—the anchor for our soul—a hope tethered to our mercy seat, Jesus. When life pulls at us and everything feels fragile, this anchor does more than hold us steady; it pulls us into the depths of God's mercy and love. Imagine resting in this assurance of this unbreakable promise, trusting in the God whose word never fails and whose love never ends..
How does the imagery of the anchor ascending into heaven, tethered to the mercy seat, change my perspective on hope and identity?
Caught Between Two Worlds (Story Continuation)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
She walks along the shoreline, her feet sinking into the cool sand as waves rush in and pull back. The crisp air carries a hint of salt, and the ocean’s rhythm fills the quiet space around her. She spots something caught between the rocks—a twisted piece of metal, rusted and worn. Crouching down, she brushes away the sand. It’s a fragment of an old anchor, half-buried and forgotten.
The once-strong metal has eroded over time, leaving jagged edges and gaps where it once held firm. It reminds her of the ways she’s tried to anchor her identity in things she believed were secure: relationships, achievements, fleeting approval. But, like this rusted anchor, they couldn’t hold against life’s shifting tides.
Standing, she recalls the verse from Hebrews—the hope set before her, an anchor reaching beyond the visible. It reminds her that her true security isn’t found in anything of this world but are tethered to something eternal.
She takes a deep breath as the truth settles within. The rusted fragment is a reminder of the past—of the ways she sought stability where it could never be found. But now, she understands her identity is not defined by shifting standards but is rooted in Christ, anchored in his mercy. With this truth, she moves forward, her steps lighter, the weight she’s carried for so long beginning to lift.
As the waves fade into the distance, a stillness settles within her. The hope she’s been given isn’t like the rusted remnants of the past; it’s an anchor that holds beyond the storms, secured in the eternal promises of God.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Good News
Because of Jesus, through the torn veil, our anchor reaches into heaven itself, secured by Christ’s sacrifice. This hope is unlike any other—firm, unwavering, and anchored not in the temporary but in God’s eternal mercy and love, promised long ago and fulfilled forever in Jesus.
Resources
The Cross of Christ by John Stott: This classic text focuses on the significance of Jesus' death and its theological implications. Stott examines the concept of atonement, the mercy seat, and how Christ’s sacrifice fulfills Old Testament promises.
Looking Ahead
This is Part 5 of the 6-part series, Caught Between Two Worlds.
Caught Between Two Worlds: Finding Rest in Your Identity in Christ
Shedding What Doesn’t Last: Embracing Your True Identity in Christ
The Metamorphosis of Your Mind: Surrendering to the Spirit's Work in Shaping Your Identity
Walking in the Freedom of Christ: Your Identity Beyond Circumstance
Anchored in Hope: Strengthening Your Identity in Christ
Living Fully Rooted in Christ: Flourishing in Your New Identity