Well, yesterday (or the day before) this video began to circulate across social media. It was started by actress Gal Gadot and it’s a mashup of different celebrities singing “Imagine” by John Lennon. Apparently it was meant to be a comfort in this time of isolation and anxiety and fear, but honestly, I can’t imagine (pardon the pun) anything worse. To sing “Imagine there’s no heaven…” is diametrically opposed to the truth that we all need to hear.

This morning one of my readings was Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s….

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, (Psalm 103:1-5, 15-17)

[Here is another song to listen to that beautifully captures this part of the Psalm]

That is the truth we need to hear. There is forgiveness. There is hope in God. Our biggest problem is not COVID-19 (as big of a problem as that is), but it’s sin and rebellion against a holy God.

Another reading was John 10 - 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

So, not only is there a heaven, but there is a God in heaven who sent his only Son to lay down his life for the sheep (his children) so that they could be with him in heaven for all eternity. That is the news we all need to hear.

On many mornings I pull out my guitar while I read and pray, and this morning I sang “All Must Be Well.” The words here are what someone should put out on the web and have go viral (pardon that reference too - but it’s what we say). They are a decided contrast to the whole misguided idea of “Imagine.” This is actually a song of comfort. Listen. Sing along. Rest in the truth of God’s good and gracious hand being upon his children.

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, all is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well 

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, all is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well 

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well

Here we go, day 2 of this. The Psalms have consistently been a place of great comfort for the believer. They deal with the gamut of emotions that run through our lives at a whirlwind pace. And they point us to the true refuge for our souls in the midst of whatever trouble comes our way. I think of Psalm 91:1,2:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

That is an expression of confident trust of a believer reaching out to God knowing that it is only in Him are we safe and secure. The trouble may find us. We may well suffer greatly from it. But truly we are safe in the arms of our God.

Again I think about a song. I grew up listening to Rich Mullins. My youth pastor went to Cincinnati Bible College with Rich and I remember going to a concert and sitting on the front row and I thought it was amazing that MY youth pastor simply walked up to Rich and said hello and Rich said, “Hi Fred.” I remember singing “My One Thing” in our church choir. Rich’s music was deeply influential for me. He wasn’t the greatest singer, but his lyrics touched on real life and the struggles that are present.

One song in particular is called “Bound to Come Some Trouble.”

There's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of 
There's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there 

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there 

Now, people say maybe things will get better 
People say maybe it won't be long 
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow 
And it'll all be gone 
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough 
When you need something to hold on 
There's only one thing that's clear 

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of 
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes 
That ain't no reason to fear 
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life 
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight 
He's been there before and He knows what it's like 
You'll find He's there

Hold on tight to Jesus. That is good advice. But I would add one thing - remember that Jesus is holding on tight to you, to his children. In John 6 where Jesus declares himself to the Bread of Life we read these words:

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 

There is our true comfort. He will raise up all his children. Nothing can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28). Rest in him, believe in him, hold tight to him…knowing that he is holding tight to you!

As we find ourselves in strange times, I thought it would be good to post devotional thoughts and resources on a regular basis. This morning as I was reading in Hebrews 6 I was reminded of the great anchor we have in all moments of life - our Lord Jesus Christ. Picking up part of the way through verse 18:…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, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

We have an anchor that holds us firm and solid through any storm. It doesn’t mean that the storm will pass quickly, or that we won’t suffer from it. What it means is that we have a firm and sure foundation and the One to whom we hold tight has gone before us and prepares a place for those who trust in him…for all those who have turned to him in repentance and faith. We have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials…(1 Peter 1:3-6).

I am so often reminded of songs that have ministered to my soul throughout the years. As I thought about writing this devotional (perhaps daily) I thought of a song by Michael Card (and yes, I know that dates me a bit) called “Soul Anchor.” It’s off his album by the same name that walks through the letter to the Hebrews. Here are the lyrics:

Though the wind is ragin all around
And even though the waves may rise

There's a place of stillness in the storm
And you can find it if you will believe

It's a soul anchor, Hold on to the hope
It is a soul anchor, Just hold on to your courage
Before we call, He answers us with hope

We are so sure of what we're waiting for
And certain of the things we do not see
For we are told by the One who cannot lie

And in this hope is our security

It's a soul anchor, Hold on to the hope
It is a soul anchor, Just hold on to your courage
Before we call, He answers us with hope

So hold fast, draw near / So hold fast, draw near
It's a soul anchor
Hold onto the hope / It's a soul anchor
Just hold on to your courage / Before we call He answers Us
Before we call He answers us

My encouragement this morning - hold onto the right hope. Hold on to the anchor of your soul. Take the time each day and spend with God; in his Word and in prayer. He is the anchor of hope (and that reminds me of a song probably more familiar by Ellie Holcomb). There is much more that could be said, and I may write more than you would expect. I hope this will be an encouragement to you in these uncertain times. We have a God who does not change (see WLC Question 7) and who deeply loves us - as is so clearly displayed in Christ (Romans 5:8). Well, that’s enough for now. Until next time.

Anchor of the Soul RSS