Hebrews 6 (6)

Introduction
The writer introduces the concept of hope as important for grounding our spiritual lives and keeping us on course to God’s rest. David seems to have known this hope, as we see in many of his psalms. This hope, the writer of Hebrews says, “we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” It seems important we be very clear about just what this hope entails.

Meditate on Psalm 23.

Read Hebrews 6.18-20.

Think it through.
1. First, what is hope? How does it function in human life? Can we live without it? Can hope disappoint? Explain. What is the Christian’s hope (cf. Rom. 5.1-5; 1 Pet. 3.15)? How does this serve to “anchor” the soul? What makes this hope “sure and steadfast”? How should this hope shape our daily lives in the Lord, so that we do not drift from Him for any reason?

2.  Our hope is sure and steadfast because we know Christ has secured it for us “behind the veil.” What does this mean? The writer says that Jesus is our forerunner. John the Baptist was Christ’s forerunner, and now Christ is ours. What are the implications of this for us, and how should this affect our hope? Christ is our High Priest forever. What does He do for us in this role? 

Meditate.
“As the anchor, dropped from the vessel, does not allow it to be carried about even if ten thousand winds agitate it but, being depended upon, makes it steady, so also does hope.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ… Ephesians 4.14, 15

Anchor my soul to the hope that is in Jesus, today and forever, O Lord, and I will gladly…

Pray Psalm 127.
As you pray, meditate on the images presented in this psalm, and how they help you in thinking about the hope which anchors your soul.

Psalm 127.1-5 (Leominster: Not What My Hands Have Done)
Unless God builds the house, the workers toil in vain; 
unless He watches o’er us all, the watchmen have no gain.
In vain we early rise, and late retire to rest, 
for God gives precious, needed sleep to those He loves the best.

All children are a gift and treasure from the Lord, 
a token of His constant grace, the fruitful womb’s reward.
Like arrows in our hand, the children of our youth
we, trusting Jesus, shape and send to bear the Word of truth.

The blessings of the Lord on fruitful families rest.
Both friend and foe alike shall know that they by God are blessed.
Praise God, Who builds the house, and watches o’er us all, 
and grants relief and fruitful wombs to all who on Him call.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.